Hoosier Growers LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII. Stunning Effectiveness.  On April 19, 2022 at approximately 10:00AM at the following non-compliance was observed at Hoosier Growers, EST. 47557, Fairmount, IN.  A beef steer was placed into the knock box, with the head catch fully engaged.  An initial captive bolt stun was applied, which failed to render the animal unconscious as identified by the animal still standing and looking around.  A second captive bolt stun was immediately applied rendering the animal insensible to pain.  The failure to render the animal unconscious on the first shot is non-compliant with 9CFR313.15(a)1.  USDA Reject Tag number B38795759 was applied to the knock box.  Plant Owner REDACTED was notified verbally and now in writing of this non-compliance.  As preventative measures the ammunition was replaced with new ammunition and the employee was retrained on stunning procedures. A similar non-compliance occurred on February 1, 2022 and was documented in NR #ICF1207022102N.  Previous preventative measures were to purchase new captive bolt guns and retrain the responsible employee.

313.1

VII. Slips and Falls (9 CFR 313.1 and 313.2) On February 08, 2022 at approximately 0945 hours, Inspector REDACTED observed a non compliance on the slaughter floor. A beef was loaded into the knock box area in preparation to be rendered senseless to pain. The animal walked forward to the front of the knock box. It placed its front left foot in a spot between the cement lip of the bottom of the knock box and the railing under the head lift area. The animal's foot got stuck and when it backed up, the animal slipped on the floor causing it to fall down. The animal reacted to the situation and got it's right front foot stuck in the railing on the right side of the knock box. The animal continued to struggle, but could not free itself or rise to its feet. The employee reached into the knock box and rendered the animal unconscious with one captive bolt stun. After the animal was removed from the knock box its front legs were examined by Inspector REDACTED and SPHV Dr. REDACTED. Neither leg was broken, both legs showed signs of fur missing from the skin, consistent with where the legs were stuck in the railing. Near the places in the knock box where the animal's legs were stuck there was loose pieces of fur. Inspector REDACTED took a regulatory control action by rejecting the use of the knock box area with US Rejected Tag #B42245506. Plant Manager REDACTED was notified verbally and in writing with this NR of the failure to comply with regulatory requirements. The corrective actions included rendering the animal senseless to pain and removing it from the knock box. The preventive measures included making improvements in the structure of the knock box to prevent a similar incident from reoccurring. Additional preventive measures may be included in the establishment's official response to this NR. After the corrective/preventive measures were verified the knock box was released with the removal of the USDA Tag.

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII. Stunning Effectiveness. On February 1, 2022 at approximately 09:30 at Hoosier Growers, the following non-compliance was observed: A beef in the knock box was being stunned with a captive bolt. After the first shot the animal was still up, breathing, and looking around. The stunner then applied another shot rendering the animal unconscious. The failure to render the animal unconscious on the first shot is non-compliant with 9CFR313.15(a)1.