Double L Meat Processing: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

At approximately 10:05am, I, IPP REDACTED, verbally notified Mr. REDACTED, Establishment Manager of my decision to take regulatory control action to prevent the slaughter of animals at Double L Meat Processing. I advised Mr. REDACTED that I would be getting in touch with Dr. REDACTED, SPHV who then would contact Dr. REDACTED PHV and Dr. REDACTED, Raleigh DVMS, about enforcement action due to egregious humane handling noncompliance. Establishment is under a suspension held in abeyance from previous a Human Handling noncompliance. I based my decision to take regulatory control action on the following: On August 9, 2022, at approximately 10:00am, while preforming a directed HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness of the Livestock Humane Handling Task, I, IPP REDACTED observed establishment employee REDACTED attempt to stun a large white gilt (back tag #7859) with a .22 magnum rifle.  The first shot was ineffective, and the hog remained conscious, standing and with eye movement.  A second shot was delivered immediately using the same weapon.  I observed the hog still conscious, with continued standing and now with vocalization. Plant Manager REDACTED was in the room preforming an observation for their Human Handling verification plan. He then used the same weapon the deliver a third shot and the animal continued to stand with responsive eye movement and vocalization. Mr. REDACTED delivered a fourth shot to the animal using the smaller .22 caliber rifle, the animal continued to stand and vocalize. Mr. REDACTED loaded the .22 magnum rife once again handed the rifle to Mr. REDACTED who delivered a fifth and final shot that was effective in producing unconsciousness.  After I was certain the animal was unconscious, I notified Mr. REDACTED of the egregious incident and the implementation of the regulatory control action to stop slaughter. A US Reject tag No B35205418 was applied to the stunning area and SPHV REDACTED was contacted for an action plan to move forward. I notified Mr. REDACTED of Raleigh District Office official decision of re-suspension at approximately 10:13am. Examination of the skull was inconclusive at this time because of the excessive damage to the skull making it hard to determine why this incident occurred. They were allowed to continue the slaughter process for the hog, but the remaining animals will be held until further notice. The establishment does not have a robust systematic approach to humane handling.

313.16(a)(1)

At approximately 10:15am, I, IPP REDACTED, verbally notified Mr. REDACTED, Establishment Manager of my decision to take regulatory control action to prevent the slaughter on animals at Double L Meat Processing. I advised Mr. REDACTED that I would be getting in touch with Dr. REDACTED, SPHV who then would contact Dr. REDACTED, Raleigh DVMS, about possible enforcement action due to egregious humane handling noncompliance and that the District Office may follow up with a written suspension. I based my decision to take regulatory control action on the following: On June 14, 2022, at approximately 10:00am, while preforming HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness of the Livestock Humane Handling Task, I, IPP REDACTED observed establishment employee REDACTED attempt to stun a large black beef cow (back tag #0363) with a .22 magnum rifle.  The first shot was ineffective and the cow remained conscious, standing and vocalizing.  A second shot was delivered immediately using the same weapon.  I observed the cow still conscious, with continued standing with more vocalization.  The employee stood with the rifle in his hands hesitant to deliver another shot so I advised him to stun the cow again because she was still conscious. He then delivered a third shot, again with the .22 magnum, and the cow was still standing and vocalizing. At that point, establishment manager REDACTED arrived on the slaughter floor, took the .22 magnum rifle from the employee and delivered the fourth and final shot that was effective in producing unconsciousness.  After I was certain the animal was unconscious, I notified Mr. REDACTED of the egregious incident and the implementation of the regulatory control action to stop slaughter. A US Reject tag No B35205416 was applied to the stunning area and SPHV REDACTED was contacted for an action plan to move forward. I notified Mr. REDACTED of Raleigh District Office official decision of suspension at approximately 10:30am. Examination of the skull revealed that 3 shots were placed too low on skull to establish immediate unconscious. The last shot was higher with more correct placement.  They were allowed to continue the slaughter process for the cow, but the remaining animals will be sent back to the owners until further notice. The establishment does not have a robust systematic approach to humane handling.