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

313.15(a)(1)

VIII. Stunning Effectiveness On June 2nd, 2022 at approximately 0740 while observing stunning in the stunning pen, I (REDACTED) observed the following non-compliance. Stunning operator Mr. REDACTED attempted to stun a steer with a captive bolt gun. The gun fired and the steer was conscious and standing in the stunning pen, but the steer did not vocalize or seem agitated. Mr. REDACTED immediately retrieved the backup captive bolt gun from the rolling table next to the stunning pen and attempted a second stun. The gun fired and the steer was conscious and standing in the stunning pen, but the steer did not vocalize or seem agitated. Mr. REDACTED then retrieved the backup firearm from the table next to the stunning pen and attempted a third stun that was effective and rendered the steer unconscious. After the head was skinned, I observed a large, ragged hole in the midline of the skull and two large holes in the hide covering the skull. I took regulatory control action and placed U.S. Rejected tag NO. B-45 806180 on the stunning pen and informed Mr. REDACTED that no more stunning could occur until I heard back from the Public Health Veterinarian. After contacting my supervisory chain, I removed the U.S. Rejected tag. At approximately 0830, Mr. REDACTED decided to use a more powerful charge and attempted to stun another steer in the stunning pen with the captive bolt gun. The gun fired and the steer was conscious and standing in the stunning pen. Mr. REDACTED then retrieved the backup firearm from the table next to the stunning pen and attempted a second stun that was effective and rendered the steer unconscious. After the head was skinned, I observed a large hole in the midline of the skull with a small hole immediately adjacent to the large hole. I contacted my supervisor to inform her of the situation but did not take any regulatory control action. This is a non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a). Mr. REDACTED was informed of the non-compliance and given a copy of the non-compliance report.

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category (VIII): Stunning Effectiveness On March 29th at approximately 8:30, while performing the Stunning Effectiveness Category of the Livestock Humane Handling task at Est.9958, I observed the following noncompliance. Mr. REDACTED moved a Heifer into the stunning pen and, after observing the animal’s behavior, indicated he was going to use a .22 pistol. I retreated to the safe area and heard the firearm report. After a moment of not hearing anything, I peeked around at the stunning pen and observed the animal’s head moving around above the gate of the stunning pen which indicated that the animal was standing and fully conscious. Mr. REDACTED indicated that he was going to shoot again so I moved back into the safe area. I heard the second shot and then heard Mr. REDACTED give the “all clear”. I then observed the unconscious animal roll out of the stunning pen and it remained unconscious during sticking, bleeding, and subsequent dressing. I then observed the head after skinning and was able to see two holes approximately two inches apart in the midline of the skull. No regulatory control action was taken due to the effective corrective action that was taken by Mr. REDACTED. This is a noncompliance with 9CFR 313.16(a)(1). A search of Non-compliance Records from the past 90 days indicates that there was another unsuccessful stun on 1/19/22. Mr. REDACTED was given a copy of this noncompliance report.

313.2

HATS Category III: Water and Feed Availability On March 1st, 2022, at approximately 7:30, while performing an antemortem inspection and the Livestock Humane Handling task at Est 9958, SPHV REDACTED and I, CSI REDACTED, observed a large black water trough in pen 7 that was dry. Pen 7 contained 3 beef. There was no other accessibility to water. Slaughter floor supervisor Mr. REDACTED was informed of the issue and he then filled the water trough with water. No regulatory control action was taken as water was immediately provided. A search of PHIS found no water availability NRs in the previous 90 days. This is a noncompliance with 9CFR 313.2. Establishment owner, Mr. REDACTED, was given a copy of this noncompliance report.

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII - Stunning Effectiveness. On Wednesday January 19th, 2022 at approximately 1030 am, while performing the Stunning Effectiveness category of the Livestock Humane Handling task, I CSI REDACTED observed the following non- compliance during slaughter. I observed the stunning operator, Mr. REDACTED, attempt to stun a steer in the stun box with a penetrating captive bolt gun. I was standing approximately 10-15 feet from the stun box and I could see the animal’s face . The animal started getting rowdy before the first attempted stun. I heard the first shot and then observed that the steer was still fully conscious, standing, and aware of its surroundings due to eye tracing and blinking. Mr. REDACTED immediately retrieved the back-up captive bolt and attempted to stun the steer a second time and it did not fire. Mr. REDACTED immediately handed Mr. REDACTED the .22 pistol (last resort) and yelled “firearm”. When I got to the Hallway of the entrance, I heard one shot, and heard the animal drop. Mr. REDACTED said “ok” and I came out to see the animal was unconscious, and exposed brain matter where the .22 pistol penetrated the skull. Mr. REDACTED and other employees continued hoisting and bleeding the steer. The steer did not regain consciousness after the gunshot. No Regulatory Control Action was taken due to the Immediate Corrective Action that was taken. At the head inspection station, I observed two distinct holes approximately 1 inch apart in the midline of the skull. Stunning operator, Mr. REDACTED and Owner, Mr. REDACTED was informed of the non-compliance with regulation 313.15(a)(1) and a copy of this Non-compliance Report was given to Mr. REDACTED. There were no Stunning Effectiveness NRs written in the past 90 days.