Cattlemen's Processing LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

On 6/29/22, at approximately 1305 hours while verifying Humane Handling VII. Stunning near the restrainer, I SPHV Dr. REDACTED, observed the following non-compliance: The first steer of the day entered the restrainer at approximately 1305 hours. An employee indicated that he was going to shoot the gun to stun the steer, so I went around the corner of the building as per the firearm safety protocol. I heard the 1st shot go off and then a 2nd shot a few seconds after the first. The time on my watch stated 13:05:46 hours. I came out from behind the corner with REDACTED, Plant Manager, and observed the employee looking at Ms. REDACTED and me. The employee stunning then stated that he, “Needs to take a 3rd shot.” Since he could not reach the steer’s head from where he was standing on the stunning platform, he came off of the platform and inserted himself between the restrainer box head catch and the building. The stunner employee and Ms. REDACTED proceeded to open the head catch to view the animal. At this point, I observed that the animal was recumbent on all limbs and its neck was erect and eyes were tracking and looking around. The stunning employee placed his hand on the head of the animal and indicated that he was going to shoot. I went behind the building and heard a 3rd shot go off. After the 3rd shot, I verified that the animal was effectively stunned at 13:06:15 hours. I informed Ms. REDACTED that the restrainer box would be placed under U.S. Retain for failure to effectively stun the animal on the first attempt. I applied U.S. Rejected tag #B45644735 to the restrainer box. Ms. REDACTED was informed that a non-compliance would be issued for 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1) for failure to effectively stun the animal on the first attempt.