Tonkawa Processing Corp: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)

313.16(b)(1)(i),313.16(a)(1),313.16(b)(2)

On Monday, June 13, 2022 at approximately 13:32 hours I, REDACTED, observed and heard the following non-compliance at Tonkawa Processing Corp. Kill floor personnel brought a large breed boar hog in for slaughter and single shot stunning using a .22mag rifle was not effective. Personnel used the .22mag rifle and discharged a shot into the hog’s forehead, the animal squealed/screamed loudly, its hind end dropped for about 5 seconds before recovering and standing solidly on 3 legs for the remainder of the time. The animal showed all signs of consciousness with eyes tracking and breathing, the only change was blood flowing from the nasal cavities. Kill floor personnel tried to safely get another shot into the animal’s head, using the same .22mag rifle, but was unable to proceed. (The backup available if the .22mag fails is a .357 which is kept in the establishment office.) Kill floor personnel employees discussed the ongoing issue then summoned establishment owner, REDACTED. Establishment owner, REDACTED, used the same .22mag rifle and discharged a second shot into the forehead that then immediately rendered the animal unconscious. The entirety of this incident was heard on speaker phone by Supervisor REDACTED, who called prior to the incident then requested to stay on until it was complete. Also, during this period Supervisor REDACTED included ODAFF DVM, Dr. REDACTED, into the phone call. This incident violates the establishments Humane Handling, which reads as follows: REDACTED The second shot fired in this incident does not meet the definition of a safety shot. 313.16 Mechanical; gunshot. 313.16(a)(1) Utilization of firearms required effect; handling. The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal by single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be shot in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort. 313.16(b)(1)(i) Facilities and procedures—General requirements for shooting facilities; operator. On discharge, acceptable firearms dispatch free projectiles or bullets of varying sizes and diameters through the skull and into the brain. Unconsciousness is produced immediately by a combination of physical brain destruction and changes in the intracranial pressure. Caliber of firearm shall be such that when properly aimed and discharged, the projectile produces immediate unconsciousness. 313.16(b)(1)(iv) The shooting operation is an exacting procedure and requires a well-trained and experienced operator. He must be able to produce immediate unconsciousness. He must use the correct caliber firearm, powder charge, and type of ammunition to produce desired results. 313.16(b)(2) Special requirements. Choice of firearms and ammunition with respect to caliber and choice of powder charge required to produce immediate unconsciousness of the animal may vary depending on age and sex of the animal. In the case of bulls, rams, and boars, small bore firearms may be used provided they are able to produce immediate unconsciousness of the animals. Small bore firearms are usually effective for stunning other cattle, sheep, swine, and goats, and calves, horses and mules.

313.16(a)(1)

On Monday, October 18, 2021 at approximately 0900 am I, CSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance while at Tonkawa Processing Corp. When an employee brought in a bull for slaughter the stunning was not effective. The Employee using a .22mag riffle to stun discharged a shot into the animal’s forehead which dropped to the ground after a about 15 seconds. The animal showing signs of consciousness with eye tracking and breathing rhythmically. The employee then opted to use a larger caliber handgun a .38 discharged a 2nd shot into the animal’s poll producing the same results. Still using the .38 the employee then fired shots 3 and 4 into the animal’s forehead. The animal was still showing signs of consciousness. Only after the 5th shot with a .22 mag to the poll was the animal rendered unconscious. I informed Owner REDACTED noncompliance with 9CFR313.16(a)(1) which states in part “The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot.” I took regulatory control of the slaughter operations by applying US RETAINED TAG NO. B37 051516 to the establishments kill box. This noncompliance is being associated with NR MGS2711104415 DATED 10/15/2021 for similar root cause.

313.16(a)(1)

On Friday, October 15, 2021 at approximately 0830 I, CSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance while at Tonkawa Processing Corp. When an employee brought in a heifer for slaughter the stunning was not effective. The employee using a .22LR riffle to stun cattle discharged the weapon into the animal’s forehead which dropped to the ground instantly. He performed a second shot (Safety Knock) into the base of the animal’s skull. After performing both shots the animal stayed down but was still breathing and reacted when its eyes were touched by blinking and pulling its head away. The employee then performed another shot to the forehead using the backup firearm a .22mag riffle with the same effect. Only after placing a 4th shot with the .22mag to the base of the skull did the animal stop breathing and stop responding to touch. They do not have a head gate installed to immobilize the animals head when performing the stunning. I informed owner REDACTED of the noncompliance with 9CFR313.16(a)(1) which states in part “The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot.”