Herscher Halal Meat Locker: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.2

HATS Category III Water and Feed Availability 7am while performing humane handling activities with REDACTED DVM and Dr. REDACTED, we observed 11 goats in first pen just outside of knock box with no water being available in said pen. Gate was closed on pen 2 which allowed gate to pen one to be opened which then gave animals access to water. Plant at this time was advised to either keep gate open or to place a container of water in pen one. At approximately 11:15 I observed for the second time today 6 lambs being held in pen one had no access to water. Plant employee REDACTED was informed of the situation and once again repeated the procedure of closing gate two opening gate one allowing animals access to water to where they all went to and started drinking. Dr. REDACTED was informed of all of this an immediately placed a tub of water in pen one. This is not in compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e).

313.1

HAT category 4 Antemortem inspection While observing pens, the northern most pen on property had the following deficiencies according to regulation 313.1.  1- wiring with fleece on metal frame on west end of pen 2- wooden feeding boxes on east and south end of pen showing signs or deteriorating wood with fleese and protruding nails with fleece. Dr REDACTED (plant manager) was notified of this. Animals were moved to a different pen and said pen was tagged  with tag number (#B26 341936)

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII- Stunning Effectiveness At approximately 8:00 am, I (REDACTED, Illinois Department of Agriculture Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI)) was walking around the outside of the building with Dr. REDACTED, Illinois Department of Agriculture Veterinary Consumer Safety Officer (CSO); Dr. REDACTED, FSIS District Veterinary Medical Specialist (DVMS); and Dr. REDACTED, Plant Manager, to the barn to observe the euthanasia of a previously segregated moribund lamb in the U.S. Suspect pen of the barn. As we approached the barn, we heard the captive bolt gun discharge, and when we arrived at the U.S. Suspect pen, the lamb had been struck by the captive bolt gun in the head by the kill floor supervisor, but the animal was still conscious. The laterally recumbent animal was raising its head, looking around, blinking normally, and attempting to right itself. The establishment employees did not take any immediate actions, and Dr. REDACTED informed them that the animal was still conscious and that a corrective action stun needed to be taken. Dr. REDACTED left the barn and went into the establishment building to retrieve additional charges for the captive bolt gun. When he returned, the captive bolt gun was reloaded, and a second stunning attempt was made by the kill floor supervisor. After the device was discharged into the head, the animal remained sensible and was lifting its head, looking around, blinking normally, and trying to right itself. Dr. REDACTED informed establishment personnel that the animal was still conscious and that a corrective action stun was still needed. The captive bolt gun was reloaded, and the kill floor supervisor applied the third stunning attempt. The animal remained conscious, looking around and blinking normally. A third establishment employee approached the animal with a knife in his hand, and Dr. REDACTED informed him that the lamb was still conscious and needed to be stunned. The captive bolt gun was reloaded and Dr. REDACTED applied the fourth stunning attempt to the top of the head, which rendered the lamb insensible. Regulatory control was taken and U.S. Rejected tag #B37 108288 was applied to the knock box. Dr. REDACTED and Dr. REDACTED advised Dr. REDACTED that the establishment failed to comply with the regulatory requirements prescribed in 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) and 313.15(b)(1)(iv). The Chicago District Office was contacted, and the event was determined to be egregious. A Notice of Suspension (NOS) was issued for the ineffective stunning event.