Redwood Meat Co., Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.15(b)(2)(i),313.15(b)(1)(iii),313.15(a)(1)

At approximately 0820 on September 26, 2022, I, Dr. REDACTED, SPHV, observed the following: Six mature goats with large horns were held in a group-style killing box, approximately 5 feet by by 10 feet in size. The animals were unrestrained, and jumping to avoid the stunner, who was standing in the kill box with the animals. After herding the animals into a corner, the stunner attempted to place the handheld captive bolt gun on one of the goat's heads, but the animal jumped as he fired and the bolt completely missed the head. After the animals were regrouped back into the corner, the stunner was able to reposition the handheld captive bolt onto the front of the skull of one of the goats. He discharged the captive bolt onto the front of the skull near the base of the horns. The animal jumped and ran forward and I could see a half-centimeter spot of blood where he had been struck by the bolt. The animal was fully conscious but did not vocalize, and did not appear to be in pain. The stunner started to reload the captive bolt and then the floor manager entered the box, assessed the situation and immediately went to get the rifle which is kept around the corner where the cattle are slaughtered. He cleared the area, and proceeded to shoot all the goats. For safety, I was unable to observe the knocking by firearm, but all six goats were dispatched by 0835. There was a several minute delay between each shot, and the shooter informed me he was checking the consciousness of each animal as it was dispatched. The establishment failed to produce immediate unconciousness, did not identify the inadequacy of the captive bolt on horned goats, and failed to restrain the animals in a manner that was safe and effective. these are non-compliances of 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), 313.15(b)(1)(iii) and 313.15(b)(2)(i).

313.2

On the morning of 08/29/2022 at 0500 hours CSI REDACTED observed the following Non-compliance. Up on arrival to establishment this morning I took a walk through the holding pens area to see how many animals there were for the day. There were two hogs in one of the holding pens that didn't not have any water. I went over to the office to talk to REDACTED about it. I asked REDACTED how long had the hogs been there and he replied that they have been there since the day before, (Sunday, 08/28/22). I told him that the two hogs did not have water and that I would be issuing a N.R. for this Non-compliance. The other animals were OK with water. This is in Non-compliance with regulation CFR9 313.2(3) (e) Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed. There shall be sufficient room in the holding pen for animals held overnight to lie down

313.1

At 10:05 AM on 4/15/22 while performing the feed and water availability humane handling task, I, Dr. REDACTED observed the following noncompliance. The back holding pens, number 14 and 15 behind the barn, were in poor repair. The square, wire fencing that is affixed to the rod iron fence posts and separates the two pens, has been bent back and separated from the post. As a result, there is now approximately four feet of exposed wire points and gaps in the fence that could potentially harm or cause injury to livestock. There were no animals being held in this pen or the adjacent pen number 14. I tagged pens 14 and 15 with U.S Rejected tags #B39000416-17 by applying the tags to the gate handles, informed REDACTED of the forthcoming noncompliance, and that no animals would be able to be held in these pens until the fencing is repaired. This is in violation of 313.1(a) Livestock pens, driveways and ramps shall be maintained in good repair. They shall be free from sharp or protruding objects which may, in the opinion of the inspector, cause injury or pain to the animals. Loose boards, splintered or broken planking, and unnecessary openings where the head, feet, or legs of an animal may be injured shall be repaired.  REDACTED understood the noncompliance, confirmed no animals will be held in those pens, and that they would fix the fence soon.

313.1

At 07:10 AM on 11/19/21 while performing ante mortem inspection, I, Dr. REDACTED observed the following noncompliance. A plant employee was moving the beef in the holding pens for thorough inspection with a rattle paddle. The paddle was not making contact with the animals just being used for noise and visual guidance. It was raining at this time and had been raining throughout the night and morning. When the employee got closer to the eight beef in the pen, they all began moving towards the chute. As they did, one smaller, young beef was startled and tried to move rapidly forward but lost traction and slipped. It landed laterally on its right side but quickly righted itself and returned to a standing position. It ambulated normally after the fall. I tagged the four ante mortem pens with U.S Rejected tags #B37331021-24 and informed REDACTED and REDACTED of the forthcoming noncompliance. This is in violation of 313.1(b) Floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock. Slip resistant or waffled floor surfaces, cleated ramps and the use of sand, as appropriate, during winter months are examples of acceptable construction and maintenance. REDACTED took immediate corrective actions by adding a layer of gravel to all the ante mortem pens for adequate traction.