Calihan Pork Processors, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.1,313.2

On 06/27/2023 at approximately 9:10 a.m. while observing truck unloading (HATS Category II) as part of Humane Handling, the following noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.1(a), 313.2(a), and 313.2(b) was observed. While watching a truck being unloaded from my position on the walkway next to the unloading ramp, I observed a group of 3 sows being driven down the stairs from the top deck of a semi-trailer. The sows stopped, balked, and vocalized about halfway down the stairs. One sow got turned around with its face looking towards the driver, who was in the trailer, and its back was facing me. I noticed the animal’s back right leg got caught in between the stairs and the side of the truck. The sow was squealing and hunched over trying to get her leg free. The two sows with her were trying to get past her and running into the side of her. At that time, I yelled, “her leg is stuck,” but the driver, who was at the top of the stairs, and the plant employee, who was standing further up the ramp towards the truck door, did not appear to hear me. The driver then proceeded to hit the sow at least 5 times on the side of the face with the rattle paddle in an effort to get her to move. The truck driver hit her with enough force that she started vocalizing louder than she had been while still trying to get her leg unstuck. The sow finally was able to get her leg unstuck due to the jostling created when the other sows bumped into her. The sow then turned around and made it down the rest of the stairs and ramp. I did not notice a limp or other injury to the sow in question. When the 3 sows were unloaded, I walked back into the barn area and proceeded to jot down what I had witnessed. Assistant Plant Manager REDACTED approached me to perform antemortem on a different pen of sows. I proceeded to describe what I had just witnessed. Mr. REDACTED was later informed that a noncompliance would be issued for the incident.