Fairmount Harvest, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1),313.15(b)(1)(iii)

HATS Category VIII-Stunning Effectiveness On April 25, 2023, at approximately 0725 hours while observing the captive bolt stunning of the market cattle Dr. REDACTED observed the following noncompliance. After the market steer was placed in the knocking chute with its head in the chin/head restraint the stunning employee attempted to stun the animal by placing the captive bolt on the forehead of the steer. At the time of administering the initial shot the steer moved its head and the shot was administered between the eyes. Dr. REDACTED observed that the steer remained standing, vocalized once, and was tracking with its eyes. The employee immediately grabbed the preloaded back up stunning device and administered a second shot to the steer. This shot was effective at creating a state of immediate unconsciousness in the steer. Once the animal was effectively rendered insensible Dr. REDACTED observed the forehead of the steer with the plant employee and REDACTED, Plant Manager to assess the shot placement of both applications of the captive bolt gun. It was observed that were two holes penetrating the skull--one at the level of the eyes and one approximately 2 inches above that hole in the center of the forehead. The first shot was the one at the eye level per the employee stunning, and the effective shot was the hole in the center of the forehead. Mr. REDACTED was notified both verbally and now in writing with this NR of the establishment's failure to comply with the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) and 9 CFR 313.15(b)(1)(iii).