Bowman's Butcher Shop, LLC: 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 Bowman's Butcher Shop, LLC slaughterhouse establishment in 2023.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2023.
313.16(a)(1)
On 9/15/2023 at approximately 8:30AM while performing a Humane Handling Verification Task at Boman’s Butcher IPP observed the following noncompliance with HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness. A black Angus Cross steer walked into the knock box. The establishment employee went to take his first knock with the .22 magnum caliber rifle. When attempting this knock, there was the sound of a release, but the animal remained standing and blinking. The establishment employee immediately took a second shot in which the animal dropped. The animal was rolled out onto the kill floor and exhibited no signs of consciousness. The animal was then hoisted, stuck, and bled out. After the head was removed and skinned, it was noticed that there were 2 holes present in the skull. Two holes were at midline one slightly above the desired position and another hole in the desired position. IPP immediately tagged the knock box with US Rejected Tag B14092356. More than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with regulation 9CFR 313.16(a)(1), which states: "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 with a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort." Mrs. REDACTED and Mr. REDACTED were verbally notified of the noncompliance at approximately 8:45AM. I removed the US Rejected tag from the knock box at this time after we discussed the proffered corrective actions. The establishment stated they would take their time with the rest of the cattle today, would follow up with a re-training event with all slaughter floor employees, and would also start cleaning the gun every week after slaughter. The establishment does have a robust systematic approach to humane handling in place.
