F.B. Purnell Sausage Company Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.2

HATS category III: water and feed availability While performing the Livestock Humane Handling task at Purnell Sausage Co. (M7464) Simpsonville, KY, Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer (SVMO) REDACTED, DVM made the following observations in the holding pens of the establishment: At approximately 0630 hrs. EDT establishment personnel requested Dr. REDACTED examine a non-ambulatory disabled sow located in pen #5; the sow was found sternal recumbent in the corner of the pen near the lift gate going into the tub portion of the chute system leading to the restrainer for electrical stunning. The sow was positioned approximately 27 feet from the water trough in the pen. Following examination by Dr. REDACTED, the sow was found to be acceptable for slaughter as a “suspect” (U.S. Suspect M2713991). At approximately 0800 hrs. EDT establishment personnel requested Dr. REDACTED presence in the holding pens to examine another down animal. Upon entering the holding pens, the non-ambulatory disabled sow was still observed in pen #5, in approximately the same location, and without access to water, as the sow did not have the ability to get up and walk to the water trough. Kill Floor Supervisor REDACTED was notified of the above observations and forthcoming documentation of non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e).

313.30 (a)(2)

HATS category IV: Ante-mortem Inspection While performing the Livestock Humane Handling task at Purnell Sausage Co. (M7464) Simpsonville, KY, Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer (SVMO) REDACTED, DVM made the following observation on the kill floor of the establishment: At approximately 1210 hrs. EST an animal was heard vocalizing in the restrainer. Upon investigation, a small hog was found at the entrance to the restrainer with its hind quarters within the sides of the restrainer and its head/front limbs below the sides of the restrainer. Establishment personnel attempted to advance the animal forward in the restrainer without success; the sides of the restrainer were not working in unison. Establishment personnel attempted to reverse the movement of the restrainer; again, the sides of the restrainer were not working in unison as one side was repeatedly moving across the side of the animal without advancing its movement. By this time the animal was displaying signs of distress, bright red flush to the skin and opening mouth breathing. After some delay, Kill Floor Supervisor REDACTED elected to advance the restrainer forward, which appeared to function properly, to a point where the animal could be reached with the head/heart electrical stunning wand. The animal was observed to be firmly wedged in the restrainer at the 45-degree angle, front limbs sliding along the flooring of the restrainer approximately 3-4 feet as it was advanced forward. The animal was rendered insensible with the electrical stunning and remained so throughout the slaughter process. Supervisor REDACTED stated the establishment’s hand-held captive bolt (HHCB) device was not operational at the time of this observation. The above observation represents non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.30(a)(2). Supervisor REDACTED was notified that U.S. Rejected tag #B45710006 was being placed upon the restrainer and the chain of command for the Jackson District Office was being contacted for further guidance. Likewise, Plant Manager REDACTED was notified of the above observation and forthcoming non-compliance, and of the regulatory control action.

313.1

HATS Category II-Truck Unloading Between 20:00-20:30 time on Thursday 12/08/2022, while performing the Livestock Humane Handling Task of verifying HATS Category II-Truck Unloading; I, CSI REDACTED observed sows unloaded from a double deck livestock truck. At least six sows were seen slipping with their feet (knees contacting the ramp) as they stepped off the truck onto the buildings metal hinged ramp, as the sows tried to gain footing, they were seen struggling slipping off the metal ramp onto the off- loading floor, two sows were observed falling to their brisket onto the entrance floor. Upon further observation it was noted that there was an area of standing water (approximately 4-5 inches deep) covering half of the off-loading floor (approximately 2.5 ft. X 4.0 ft.) , making it even more difficult for the sows to regain their footing while moving from the ramp to the entrance floor. The reason why the sows were slipping was the metal ramp was wet & then as they tried to regain footing stepping off the ramp onto an entrance with standing water they continued to struggle slipping & falling even more. There was no indication that the establishment took any preventative measures to reduce the potential of animal injury by slipping & falling. The recent weather conditions on the unloading chute allowed for an accumulation of water and for slick conditions. After immediately bringing my observations of the conditions non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.1(b) to the attention of both Supervisors Mr. REDACTED & Mr. REDACTED, I observed Mr. REDACTED immediately ask the truck driver to delay unloading any more sows until he could provide corrective action. The following immediate actions were proffered: I observed Mr. REDACTED take a shovel & attempt to shovel out the standing water & both Mr. REDACTED & Mr. REDACTED laid down three large rubber floor mats onto the entrance floor area. As the driver resumed unloading the rest of the sows, I did not observe any other sows slipping or falling & the sows appeared walking with ease and with stable footing as they walked off the metal ramp onto the rubber mats that had been placed on the off-loading floor.

313.2

HATS category VI: Electric prod/alternative object use On 10/11/2022 while performing the Livestock Humane Handling task, I, CSI REDACTED made the following observation at approximately 1140 hours EDT in the holding pens of M7464 Purnell Sausage Co., Simpsonville, KY: Establishment personnel were attempting to drive approximately 5 sows from Pen#2 to Pen#7-7B. One establishment employee was observed swinging one arm while holding a rattle paddle and forcefully hitting one sow in the face with the paddle while it walked past the employee. I took the immediate regulatory control action of stopping the establishment personnel from harming the animals. Kill Floor Supervisor REDACTED and Boning Supervisor REDACTED were notified of the above observation and the forthcoming documentation of the non-compliance with regulation 9 CFR 313.2(b).