Abbyland Foods, Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

On January 25, 2023, At approximately 2:45 PM, while performing a District Veterinary Medical Specialist humane handling verification visit, I was observing HAT category VIII, stunning effectiveness, and I, Dr. REDACTED (DVMS), observed the following noncompliance with HAT category VIII. I was observing stunning effectiveness for 25 consecutive bovines from a stand located above and off to the side of the restrainer. The 25th cow with back tag numbered 9353 entered the restrainer. I observed the establishment stunner operator apply a stun with a handheld captive bolt (HHCB) to the cow’s forehead. The stun was ineffective. The cow did not drop, but stood and pulled it’s head into it’s flank momentarily. This is a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1). The animal moved it’s head back toward the front of the restrainer and I observed the animal’s eyes tracking movements. There was also a single stream of blood originating from the center of the forehead. the stunner operator applied a second stun with a second preloaded HHCB, posterior to the animal’s poll (occipital protuberance), angled toward the rostrum. The second stun was effective, and the animal dropped and was insensible. I signaled to the stunner operator to pause stunning operations, and I went to find a supervisor. There were no supervisors available, and I spoke to Ms. REDACTED, QC Slaughter Lead. I informed Ms. REDACTED of the noncompliance I observed and informed her that I would issue a noncompliance report for the incident. Ms. REDACTED told me that she would verbally retrain the stunner operator during break. I went to the hanging carcass numbered 9353. I identified a stunning wound on the midline of the forehead 1.5 inches above a line between the eyes. When I put my finger in the hole it had a noticeable angle off to one side. I also identified a stunning wound on the midline behind the poll of the skull.