Bowman's Butcher Shop, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.16(a)(3),313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category Vlll- Stunning Effectiveness Today April 1, 2022, at approximately 10am, Dr REDACTED and CSI REDACTED, were informed by slaughter inspector REDACTED that a large beef was not rendered unconscious after the first shot was taken and rather than attempting a second shot was instead hoisted and cut. The shot was aligned with the center of the beef skull and fired from a .22 LR, the firearms shot appeared to be accurate as the hole that clearly penetrated the skull was centered; Dr.REDACTED noted that the beef was a much larger beef than average and was very unruly when placed in the knock box. Upon questioning, slaughter inspector REDACTED said after the first shot was taken the kill floor employees proceeded to release the beef from the knock-box. After being released the beef made an attempt to stand with its front legs and inspector REDACTED noticed eye movement but no vocalization was heard, at this point inspector REDACTED made his way to the hotbox cooler for safety. No second shot was heard and after approximately 10 seconds inspector REDACTED exited the cooler and saw the beef hoisted with a bleed cut. After questioning the kill floor manager REDACTED, he confirmed that the beef attempted to stand with its front legs and that only one shot was fired but states the beef was able to be shackled and hoisted without problem to create the bleed cut. The kill floor knock box was tagged (U.S. REJECTED NO. B14092346) and manager REDACTED along with plant Owner REDACTED were informed that slaughter will not continue as this is a possible egregious act. Due to the nature of the Humane Handling noncompliance, I am recommending the District Office initiate an appropriate enforcement action.

313.1

On January 21st, 2022, at approx. 0700 hours Slaughter Inspector REDACTED and myself CSI REDACTED observed the following HATS Category 3, Water and Feed Availability noncompliance: Upon entering the barn, 3 beef in were being held in pen 1, 4 beef in pen 2, and 1 beef pen 3. The beef had water containers available but were completely frozen therefore preventing access to water. This observation is noncompliant with 9 CFR 312.2(e) which requires water to be always accessible to livestock. I informed the kill floor/processing manager REDACTED and Owner REDACTED of the findings. After being informed REDACTED immediately removed the ice and began to fill the containers with fresh water.

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category Vlll- Stunning Effectiveness: Today, December 10, 2021, at approximately 9:43am, I, CSI REDACTED, was informed by slaughter inspector REDACTED that the establishment took 2 shots to render a steer unconscious and was confirmed by a slaughter floor employee that the stunning required 2 shots. After the first shot was fired the employee took approx. 10 seconds to line up an accurate follow-up shot due to the movements of the steer. Upon inspection of the head, I observed two holes that clearly penetrated the skull. One of the holes appeared to be high, approx. 1 1⁄2 inches from center. The second hole appeared to be directly in the center of the skull. Upon questioning, the head restraint was not used to prevent movement from the steer. The Establishment did not render the beef unconscious on the first shot, this is non-compliance with regulation 9 CFR# 313.16(a)(1). This noncompliance is similar to previous NR#ZOP3014112112N, Dated 11/12/2021. The establishments corrective/preventative measures response of re-educating employees on the importance of properly securing the head restraint and having one person operate the restraint while the other stuns the animal did not prove to be effective in preventing the reoccurrence of this non-compliance. This NR serves as written notification of the establishments failure to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.16 (a) (1). Continued failure to meet the regulatory requirements may result in additional regulatory and/or administrative action(s).

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category Vlll- Stunning Effectiveness: Today, November 12, 2021, at approximately 1130 hours, I, CSI REDACTED and SCSI, REDACTED, were informed by slaughter inspector REDACTED that the establishment took 2 shots to render a heifer unconscious. Establishment Manager, REDACTED confirmed the stunning required 2 shots. Upon inspection of the head, I observed two holes that clearly penetrated the skull. One of the holes appeared to be high, aprox. 2 inches from center. The second hole appeared to be directly in the center of the skull. The Establishment did not render the beef unconscious on the first shot, this is non-compliance with regulation 9 CFR# 313.16(a)(1). This noncompliance is similar to previous NR#ZOP2007100321N/1, Dated, 10/21/2021. The establishments corrective/preventative measures response of re-educating employees on the proper stunning techniques and posting a diagram of proper stunning location was ineffective in preventing the reoccurrence of this non-compliance. After speaking with Ms. REDACTED, she indicated that the head restraint may not have been secured tightly and the head abruptly moved. This NR serves as written notification of the establishments failure to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.16 (a) (1). Continued failure to meet the regulatory requirements may result in additional regulatory and/or administrative action(s).

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII- Stunning Effectiveness On October 20, 2021 at approximately 1000 hours, I, Inspector REDACTED was informed by Slaughter Inspector REDACTED, the establishment took two shots to render a steer unconscious. I was informed immediately after the incident occurred. Establishment Manager, REDACTED confirmed the stunning of the animal required two shots and the steer remained standing after the first shot. Inspector REDACTED observed the establishment immediately taken the 2nd shot that rendered the steer unconscious. Inspecting the head, I observed two holes that clearly penetrated the skull. One of the holes appeared to be high and off center by approximately 1 inch. The establishment did not render the beef unconscious on the first attempt. This is a noncompliance with regulation 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1). A copy of this noncompliance will be supplied to the establishment for record keeping purposes.