Caviness Beef Packers, Ltd.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.1

HATS Category IV: Handling During Antemortem Inspection; On July 31, 2023, at approximately 0611 hours, while performing antemortem inspection at Establishment #M675, Caviness Beef Packers. I, SCSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance: Inside Pen #9, one beef cow was observed laying on the ground briefly convulsing and vocalizing and eventually became motionless. Upon further observation, chewed electrical cables were observed coming out of the electric pole’s outlet, and on the ground running underneath the cow. Red sparks were observed on the electrical wires laying over fluids on the concrete floor. Supervisor REDACTED immediately then removed the rest of cattle into the alley and had the electricity shut off to the pole. Shortly the cow then was observed lifeless and confirmed dead by the establishment. I then took regulatory control action by having Mr. REDACTED apply U.S. Rejected tag B-45785604 and U.S. Rejected tag B-45785603 to the entrance/exit gates to Pen# 9. Was informed by establishment personal that these electrical wires carry approximately 270 Voltage. Superintendent REDACTED was verbally notified that a noncompliance record would be issued. At 0751 hours the U.S. Rejected tags were removed after the establishment’s corrective actions. The establishment has failed to comply with 9 CFR 313.1(a). “Livestock pens, driveways and ramps shall be maintained in good repair.”

313.2

On Wednesday (3/29/2023) I went out to do antemortem at 9 PM. I observed a longhorn steer in chute 2C. This was a unique steer with very long horns and distinctive brown and white markings on its hide. I asked the Supervisor if they were going to kill it that night. He responded no. Thursday (3/30/2023) I went out to the pens to perform antemortem. I observed the same steer that was in chute 2C on Wednesday, but was now in pen B. The pens supervisor told me that it had been moved to pen B on Wednesday night. I told the supervisor that this was the same steer that I saw on Wednesday. I told him that I could tell because of the long horns and distinctive markings on the hide. He agreed. The time was 9:30 pm. I asked if they had fed the animal and he replied no. I did not see any traces of feed in the pen. I asked if the establishment kept feed logs when they feed cattle that are kept over 24 hours. He replied that he wasn’t sure. He did not have an explanation as to why the animal had not been slaughtered. The steer had a yellow sale barn tag #8476 on its back. I discussed the incident with REDACTED and the pens Supervisor. I informed the company that this was a noncompliance (9CFR 313.2(e) HATS Category III). This steer has been on the premises for longer than 24 hours and has not been fed. I informed REDACTED that a noncompliance report would be issued.