Wilkes Abattoir, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2022 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Wilkes Abattoir, LLC slaughterhouse establishment in 2022.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2022.
313.15(a)(1)
On Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at approximately 0915 hours at Wilkes Abattoir (19511), the Raleigh District Veterinary Medical Specialist (DVMS) and Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) identified a humane handling non-compliance. While verifying HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness, IPP observed that there were multiple attempts to stun a beef steer. IPP and the DVMS observed as a beef steer was loaded into the knock box and secured in the head catch device. The steer was agitated and trying to move in the knock box. The employee attempted to stun the steer using a .25 caliber hand-held captive bolt stunning device (HHCB). After the initial stun attempt, the steer vocalized, remained standing, and continued to move its head. The employee immediately reloaded the same HHCB device and applied a second stun attempt which rendered the steer unconscious. After the head had been removed, IPP observed that there were two holes in the steer’s skull: one hole slightly low and to the right-of-center and one hole in the correct location. Because the establishment is currently operating under a Notice of Deferral for the previous egregious HH stunning noncompliance, the DVMS informed establishment management of a pending enforcement action at approximately 0935 hours. IPP applied US Retain/Reject Tag #B30324221 to the knock box to prevent further slaughter of livestock, in accordance with 9 CFR 313.50(c). REDACTED, Plant Manager was notified of the noncompliance and failure to comply with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1).
313.16(a)(1)
On 01/26/2022 at approximately 12:15PM while performing Slaughter Inspection Duties at Wilkes Abattoir (TA19511) I observed the following non-compliance. Plant Manager, REDACTED, notified me at approximately 12:10PM that he was going to use a 4-44 rifle to stun the last hog of the day. I stepped into the inspector’s office and a short time later heard the gunshot. At that time, I heard the animal immediately begin vocalizing. I stepped out of the inspector’s office and saw that the animal was vocalizing and still standing and moving around in the knock-box. Mr. REDACTED went to the establishment office to get another bullet, reloaded and was able to properly stun the animal on the second attempt. I notified plant employees that they could continue processing activities but that all slaughter activities were stopped. I took regulatory control of the knock-box with USDA Rejected Tag No. B30-323015 and notified Area 9 Supervisor REDACTED. During my inspection of the animal’s head I observed that the 1st “kill shot” appeared to be centered between the eyes of the animal. The 2nd shot was just below the 1st. I spoke with Mr. REDACTED about what had happened, and he stated that the animal was standing still and he felt that he had made a good first shot. I notified REDACTED (Plant Owner) and REDACTED (Plant Manager) of the non-compliance and failure to comply with 9CFR 313.16(a)(1) and HATS Category 8 “Stunning Effectiveness”.
