Sanchez Slaughterhouse: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2021 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII - Stunning Effectiveness On 09/18/2021 at approximately 0345 hours, I (Dr. REDACTED) was on the slaughter floor, on the opposite side of the stunning area, when I heard the Captive Bolt device discharge. The heifer that was being stunned was heard to fall, then began kicking the door of the stunning box, vocalizing, and exhibiting signs of distress. I immediately went to the stunning area and conversed with the CSI who confirmed that this was an ineffective stunning attempt. At this point I observed that when the heifer fell, it had trapped its head underneath it’s shoulder and against the stun chute, and that the stun operator did not have access for an immediate second attempt. After a brief period of time, the stun operator utilized an electric prod and the heifer was able to free itself, at which point the animal was effectively stunned with a .22 caliber rifle. USDA Reject tag #B-45649348 was applied to the stun box and the Denver District Veterinary Medical Specialist was contacted. We discussed that because the establishment was actively trying to correct the non-compliance, this event is not considered egregious. At this point the Reject tag was removed and operations continued. Mr. William Sanchez Sr., Owner/GM, was verbally notified of the non-compliance. Upon review of the dressed head, I observed that the initial attempt was very near the appropriate area, and that the second attempt was behind the poll. We discussed that this is only the second week the establishment has utilized the captive bolt device. Although there are recent humane handling non-compliances for ineffective stunning attempts, this is the first non-compliance related to the captive bolt device.

313.16(a)(1)

Humane Handling: M12455 (Sanchez Slaughterhouse) HATS Category VIII - Stunning Effectiveness On 06/05/2021, at approximately 0305 hours, I (Dr. REDACTED, SPHV) while performing inspection observed an aberrant stun operator (REDACTED Jr. who I observed stun the first steer effectively but who I had not observed perform stunning before) stun the second bovine of the morning with a .22 caliber rifle with ammunition clip attached. I observed the stun operator apply the first stun attempt to the red steer. The steer remained standing after the applied stun and did not vocalize. The stun operator immediately aimed and applied a second stun attempt, in the amount of time it took to operate bolt action, after which the steer was still standing and not vocalizing. I observed the stun operator aim and apply a third stun attempt and the steer remained standing without vocalizing. The stun operator applied a fourth stun attempt where I observed the steer drop to the ground and rendered insensible. I did not observe a menace response. I observed the steer remain unconscious while being bled. The primary stun operator (REDACTED) arrived around this time, so the aberrant stun operator excused himself from this duty for the remainder of slaughter operations. I verbally notified Mr. REDACTED of the noncompliance. Mr. REDACTED inquired about what had occurred. No regulatory control action was taken due to the observed immediate and effective corrective actions. I notified the Frontline Supervisor, Dr. REDACTED, of the event. Upon further inspection of the dressed skull, I observed three penetrating holes, which appeared to be below the target zone, with a fourth penetrating hole within the target zone. Further planned corrective action will be documented by the management in response to this noncompliance record. This non-compliance is being associated to SCG0717051529N issued on 05/29/2021 for the same root cause.

313.16(a)(1)

Humane Handling: M12455 (Sanchez Slaughterhouse) HATS Category VIII - Stunning Effectiveness On 05/29/2021, at approximately 0520 hours, I (Dr. REDACTED, SPHV) while performing inspection observed stunning of the last bovine of the morning with a .30 caliber rifle. I observed the stun operator apply a stun attempt to a very large tame bull. The bull remained standing after the applied stun, unphased and not vocalizing. The stun operator went to apply another stun but did not have any more ammunition in the chamber or at the stun box area. Ms. REDACTED was observing stunning from below and asked what had happened. I explained the animal was still standing. I observed the stun operator go down the stairs at the stun box to retrieve ammunition while Mr. REDACTED came up the stairs to see what had happened. I observed the stun operator apply a second stun. The bull immediately dropped to the ground and appeared to be insensible. I did not observe a menace response. I observed the bull remain unconscious while being bled out. I verbally notified Ms. REDACTED and Mr. REDACTED of the noncompliance. No regulatory control action was taken due to the observed immediate and effective corrective actions. I notified the Frontline Supervisor, Dr. REDACTED, of the event. Upon further inspection of the dressed skull, both stun holes appeared to be within the target zone. Further planned corrective action will be documented by the management in response to this noncompliance record. There is one non-compliances issued for the same root cause within the past 90 days. This non-compliance is being linked to NR SCG0913054015N-1 for the same root cause.

313.2

HATS Category III - Water and Feed Availability Humane Handling: M12455 Sanchez Slaughterhouse On May 21, 2021 at approximately 1045 hours, I, CSI REDACTED, observed the following noncompliance. There was no water readily available for two head of cattle in pen 6. Mr. Willie Sanchez Sr. (establishment owner/manager) was not present at the establishment to be informed of the noncompliance at the time the observations were made. CSI REDACTED took regulatory control action by placing USDA Retain Tag #B45645481, B29997455, along with B29997460 on the knock box as establishment management was not on site to offer or implement corrective actions. At 11:47 am, SPHV Dr. REDACTED informed Ms. Poai (plant manager) by phone of the noncompliance and regulatory control action. This noncompliance is being associated with NR# SCG4109055605N issued on 05/01/2021 for the same root cause of HATS Category III- Human Handling- Water and Feed Available

313.16(a)(1)

On 05/15/2021, at approximately 0600 hours, I (Dr. REDACTED, SPHV) while performing inspection observed stunning of the last bovine of the day with a .22 caliber rifle. I observed the stun operator apply a stun attempt as the cow moved within stun box, thereby missing the animal completely. I observed the stun operator apply the next stun attempt to the head and the cow immediately dropped to the ground and appeared to be insensible. However, I heard the cow let out audible groans in rhythm to her observed breathing. I did not observe a menace response but did observe agonal breathing and groans. The stun operator went to apply another stun but did not have any more ammunition in the chamber or at the stun box area. I had previously observed the stun operator take the ammunition down to the break area table. I observed the stun operator go down the stairs at the stun box to retrieve ammunition while Mr. REDACTED Sr. came up the stairs. I observed Mr. REDACTED Sr. express his irritation that the backup firearm and ammunition had been removed from the stun box. I observed Mr. REDACTED Sr. retrieve the rifle from the stun operator and apply another stun. I observed the cow remain unconscious while being bled out. I verbally notified Mr. REDACTED and Mr. REDACTED of the noncompliance. No regulatory control action was taken due to the observed immediate and effective corrective actions. I notified the Frontline Supervisor, Dr. REDACTED, and DVMS Dr. REDACTED, of the event. Upon further inspection of the dressed skull, both stun holes appeared to be within the target zone. Further planned corrective action will be documented by the management in response to this noncompliance record. There have been no non-compliances issued for the same root cause within the past 90 days.

313.2

Humane Handling: M12455 (Sanchez Slaughterhouse) HATS Category III - Water and Feed Availability On 05/01/2021, at approximately 0250 hours, I (Dr. REDACTED, SPHV) while performing my Ante-Mortem inspection with establishment manager Mr. Glen Takenaka, observed the livestock present in the holding pens being held for slaughter. I observed a total of twelve (12) cattle in seven pens, housing 1 to 3 animals in each pen. I observed three of the cattle pens had five-gallon buckets laying on their sides, with no visible water inside or around the bucket. I observed that not all animals being held for slaughter had access to water. I verbally notified Mr. Takenaka and Mr. Sanchez of the noncompliance. The noncompliance was not immediately corrected by management. Proceeded with slaughter. Further planned corrective action will be documented by the management in response to this noncompliance record. There have been no non-compliances issued for the same root cause within the past 90 days.