Arkansas Department of Corrections: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Arkansas Department of Corrections slaughterhouse establishment in 2023.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2023.
313.15(a)(1)
At the approximate time of 11:20 a.m. on the date of 5/10/2023 while I, REDACTED-IIC was observing stunning effectiveness (HATS Category-VIII - Stunning effectiveness) of the animals currently being slaughtered observed the following non compliance: a beef steer was currently in the knocking chute for knocking and the following incident occurred: the stunning instrument - captive bolt stunner being used to stun the animal made a loud popping noise but failed to function properly. The animal became agitated and began to vocalize from the excitement of the stunner equipment loud popping noise. The 2nd stunning instrument - captive bolt stunner was used, and the animal was rendered stunned and unconscious immediately. Mr. REDACTED-Plant Manager was verbally informed of the failure to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.15 (a)(1) which references the use of acceptable captive bolt stunning equipment and further states in 313.15 (a) The animals stunned shall be stunned in a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort. In addition, 9 CFR 313.15 (3)(b)(ii) stunning instruments must be maintained in good repair. Stunning equipment that fails to function when being used is not considered in good repair and does not meet the above regulatory requirements.
313.2
On the date of 03/21/2023 at the approximate time of 10:00 a.m. while I, REDACTED-IIC was observing the entrance of animals into the knocking chute box the following non compliance was observed: A beef heifer was observed on the walk up ramp which leads up to the knocking box chute. The position that I was standing allowed the observation of the animals entering the knocking box chute. The beef heifer was observed and heard bellowing loudly. The heifer appeared agitated and attempting to turn around on the walk up ramp. I could see the beef heifer was being prodded by a plant worker. I immediately exited the slaughter floor and stepped out back to the ante mortem area. I observed a plant worker excessively using the electric prod to prod the beef heifer up the walk up ramp into the knocking box chute. In addition, at this time I observed the beef heifer had become so agitated in attempting to turn in the walk up ramp that she had got her leg through one of the side rails on the walk up ramp. I informed the plant worker to immediately stop prodding the beef heifer and that her leg was in the walk up ramp side rail. The plant worker informed me he had used the electrical prod because she had kicked him and he was attempting to get her up the ramp. I informed the plant worker this was an unacceptable use of the electric prod and to stop the use of it. Mr. REDACTED-Agri. Supervisor was verbally informed this incident would be written up and a non compliance would be documented as a failure to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.2 Handling of Livestock (HATS Category VI). Plant Manager - Mr. REDACTED was also informed this incident would be written up and documented as a non compliance.
