Harmon Brothers Meats: 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 Harmon Brothers Meats, Inc. M7356, I, CSI REDACTED, made the following observation in the knock-box and ramp area at approximately 1140 hrs. Four mature sheep located in the knock-box and one mature sheep located in the ramp area were observed with no water bucket or water available prior to and after the 30-minute lunch period. I notified establishment owner REDACTED of the non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e) and the forthcoming documentation. The animals were subsequently returned to the antemortem pens with available water at 1148 hours.

313.16(a)(1),313.16(a)(3)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness While performing the Livestock Humane Handling Task at Harmon Brothers Meats, Inc.: M7356, Warsaw, KY, I, CSI REDACTED, made the following observation at approximately 0935 hours EST. Establishment personnel moved a dairy cow (approximately 1200 lb.) into the knocking box and restrained with head gate. The stun operator made an initial stun attempt with a firearm (22 Magnum) that was observed to contact the animal but was ineffective as evidenced by the animal remaining standing and looking around. The stun operator then attempted two stuns with a hand-held captive bolt device (HHCB), but the device did not fire upon reloading each time. There was a delay as the stun operator disassembled and reassembled the HHCB, and then a third attempt with the HHCB was effective at rendering the animal insensible, and it remained so thereafter. I placed USDA reject tag #B41942334 upon the knocking box and notified regulatory manager REDACTED of the observed non-compliance and of the regulatory control action.

313.16(a)(1),313.16(a)(3)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness While performing the Livestock Humane Handling Task at Harmon Brothers Meats, Inc.: M7356, Warsaw, KY, I, CSI REDACTED, made the following observation at approximately 0715 hours EST. Establishment personnel moved a heavy calf (700lb. steer) into the knocking box and restrained with head gate. The stun operator made an initial stun attempt with a firearm (22 Magnum), that was ineffective as evidenced by the animal remaining standing (conscious righting reflex) and looking around (conscious eye tracking). The stun operator reloaded the firearm and delivered an immediate and effective corrective action stun attempt, rendering the animal insensible, and it remained so thereafter. I placed USDA reject tag #B41942335 upon the knocking box and notified establishment owner REDACTED of the observed non-compliance and of the regulatory control action.

313.2

HATS category III: Water and Feed Availability While performing the Livestock Humane Handling task at Harmon Bros. Meats (M7356) Warsaw, KY Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer (SVMO) REDACTED, DVM made the following observation: Upon arrival to the establishment and entering the kill floor area at approximately 1045 hrs. EDT a Holstein cow was found standing in the knock box. At approximately 1100 hrs. EDT establishment personnel elected to stop slaughter activity for lunch. At approximately 1135 hrs. EDT the same Holstein cow was found standing in the knock box. Closer examination of the knock box (now holding pen) found the lack of water access for the cow; no visible measures were taken to provide water to the cow. Regulatory Manager REDACTED was notified of the above observation and forthcoming documentation of non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e).