Texas Natural Meats: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII (Stunning Effectiveness) At approximately 0930 hours while on the kill floor I, CSI REDACTED was observing from the head inspection station a plant employee aiming with a gun shot one of the domestic hogs the establishment presented to me this morning prior to the start of the shift, the hog was still conscious after that first shot although not screaming was moving/ shaking inside the chute box, then at approximately 0932 hours the employee shot again but noticed the hog was still conscious and moving a little bit, the employee fired another shot  at approximately 0934 hours and the security knock with a captive bolt at 0935 hours. Upon checking the head I observed it was a mix hog (domestic / wild) as the back teeth were sharp and a little bit longer than what a usual domestic hog has, since  all the attempts were in the same area. After notifying Ms. REDACTED (Plant Manager) and observing the head for accuracy I allowed the establishment resume operations. On page 1, Section 2, SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) for  TNMs paragraph E (Stunning of Livestock will be as follows) with an Updated date of 12-13-17: REDACTED

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII (Stunning Effectiveness) At approximately 0922 hours while conducting a Domestic hog Zero Tolerance inspection task at the final rail, I, CSI REDACTED, observed a plant employee in the process to knock one of the scheduled hogs, immediately after that I heard the first shot, another shot was fired within seconds which I interpreted as a security knock and within seconds I heard a third shot. Thinking it was a misfired or malfunction from the captive bolt due to the hog was not screaming at all, I waited until the head was presented to me to ensure it was not a malfunction. After inspecting the lymph nodes as part of my procedures I took the head, rinsed it with a garden hose, placed on the standing rail and looked at the shots, I was able to observe three shots were made with two of them next to each other, with the other one right below the two, using my little finger I inserted it to corroborate if there was any malfunction and in all of the holes the finger went thru, shortly after that I went to review the establishment Robust System to assess the situation. On page 1, Section 2, SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) for TNM’s paragraph E (Stunning of Livestock will be as follows) with an Updated date of 12-13-17: REDACTED I called Ms. REDACTED (Plant Manager) and showed my observations and the forthcoming noncompliance due to  the establishment not having the .22 caliber rifle as stated in their procedures. Due to the hog was not screaming and not observing any other inhumane issue I allowed the establishment keep slaughtering the remaining hogs for the day.

313.2

HATS Category III (Feed and Water) At approximately 1158 hours I (CSI REDACTED) was conducting HATS activities when noticed a domestic hog was brought in yesterday (Oct 4), the hog was lying down on the floor with no access to feed, it was received at 1030 am per establishment records. Since it has being more than 24 hours I notified both Ms. REDACTED and Ms. REDACTED of the non compliance. 9 CFR 313.2(e) states: 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.