Puget Sound Processing, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness At approximately 8:26 am on 12-2-2021 at Puget Sound Processing establishment 45858, while observing HATS Category VIII, a sow was stunned with a hand-held captive bolt (HHCB) device. The first knock stun attempt was unsuccessful at rendering the animal insensible. The CSI observed and the sow vocalizing with controlled eye movement and continuing to stand within the stun box. The second through the eighth stun applications, alternating between the backup HHCB device and the primary HHCB device both being reloaded multiple times, had the same ineffective response from the animal. The CSI observed the sow remain standing and moving in the stun box voluntarily and showing controlled eye movement and remaining consciousness. On the ninth stun attempt with the HHCB device, the CSI observed the animal drop insensible in the stun box and a tenth stun was then applied as a security stun to ensure the animal would remain unconscious. The CSI then placed US reject tag no. B18908574 to the stun box. The establishment manager was verbally notified of the noncompliance and regulatory control action. The Denver District Management Team was contacted through supervisory channels. There have been no noncompliance records issued for the same root cause within the past 90 days.