Harmon Brothers Meats: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.2

HATS category IV: Ante-mortem Inspection While performing the Livestock Humane Handling task at Harmon Brothers Meats (M7356) Warsaw, KY Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer (SVMO) REDACTED, DVM made the following observation in the holding pens at approximately 0730 hrs. EDT: Establishment personnel were found trying to herd sheep in pen #2 to the kill floor. Establishment personnel were observed having difficulty moving the animals from the pen with the use of a red plastic sort board normally used for the movement of swine. After repeated failed attempts to move the animals from the pen, establishment personnel left the holding pen. Dr. REDACTED left the immediate area to verify the conditions of the remaining holding pens and animals. Upon returning to pen #2 establishment personnel was observed using a hotshot in an excessive manner; the hotshot was being repetitively applied to the rear area of multiple sheep causing the animals to arch their back and tuck their rear limbs under their body. Dr. REDACTED took an immediate regulatory control action and instructed establishment personnel to stop using the hotshot. Mr. REDACTED, establishment owner, was notified of the above observation and forthcoming documentation of non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(b). Mr. REDACTED stated the hotshot the establishment employee was using did not likely work. Dr. REDACTED observed the establishment employee bring a hotshot onto the kill floor; both hotshots observed present on the kill floor were verified to be in working order, indicated by the sparks created when applied to a metal structure.