Towson Cold Storage: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2021 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Towson Cold Storage slaughterhouse establishment in 2021.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2021.
313.15(a)(1)
On Friday September 24th, 2021 at approximately 8:25 AM at Towson Cold Storage Establishment #M18731, IPP observed a humane handling non-compliance during routine slaughter of cattle. 1 steer was moved into the stunning area/knock box. The employee used a captive bolt to attempt to render the steer unconscious. The first blow to the steer’s head did not render him unconscious and the steer continued to remain upright and move around the knock box. The steer did not vocalize and no blood was observed coming from the animal’s head. The same employee took immediate corrective action by delivering a second blow with the captive bolt to the steer’s head and rendered him unconscious. Due to immediate corrective actions, no reject tag was placed on the knockbox and slaughter proceeded. This non-compliance violates regulation 313.15 (a) (1). On postmortem examination it was confirmed that there were two points of entry into the steer’s skull.
313.30(a)(3)
On Tuesday April 27th, 2021 at approximately 11:00 AM at Towson Cold Storage Establishment # M18731, IPP observed a humane handling non-compliance during routine slaughter of swine. The employee responsible for stunning attempted to render 1 sow unconscious with an electric shock. The sow fell into lateral recumbency, remained conscious, vocalized, and stood up. The establishment employee took immediate corrective action by applying an electric shock and successfully stunned the sow. This non-compliance violates CFR 313.30 (a) (1) (2) (3). Establishment management was made aware verbally and in writing of the non-compliance.
