Long Prairie Packing Company, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Long Prairie Packing Company, LLC slaughterhouse establishment in 2023.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2023.
313.16(a)(1)
On August 29th at approximately 12:32 PM while performing HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness, I observed the following noncompliance: a non-ambulatory Black Angus bull was in pen 13B. The barn employee used a 20-gauge shotgun to render the bull unconscious. The firearm discharged; however, the bull still displayed signs of consciousness including rising to stand, taking a step, and blinking. The bull did not vocalize. A second stun was immediately placed with the same firearm, which rendered the bull unconscious. While unconscious, two additional security stuns were applied to the bull with the same firearm and a handheld captive bolt. The bull was assigned U.S. Condemned tag Z10216965. The Canadian bull is being sent to landfill in accordance with VS Guidance 13423.1. Later I looked at the skull of the bull to confirm the placement of the firearm stuns. The first one was approximately 10.15 inches ventral from the top of the poll on midline. The second one was approximately 9.15 inches ventral from the top of the poll on midline. A third one was in identical location as the second one described. I did not measure the location of the fourth one from the handheld captive bolt. I informed REDACTED, Barn Lead and REDACTED, SQF Practitioner, of the forth-coming noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.16 (a)(1), which states animals must be rendered unconscious immediately.
313.16(a)(1)
On July 25 at approximately 07:26 AM while performing HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness, I observed the following noncompliance: a non-ambulatory Jersey cow was in pen 19. The barn employee used a .22 gauge rifle to render the cow unconscious. The firearm discharged; however, the cow still displayed signs of consciousness including blinking, tracking barn employees with her head/eyes, control of head movement, and rhythmic breathing. The cow did not show signs of distress (no bellowing, no bleeding from the wound, no quivering). A second stun was immediately placed with the same firearm, which rendered the cow unconscious. While unconscious, two additional security stuns were applied to the cow with a handheld captive bolt. The cow was assigned U.S. Condemned tag Z10216743. Later I looked at the skull of the cow to confirm the placement of the firearm stuns. The first one was 8.75 cm ventral from the top of the poll on midline; this location was centered between the eyes. The second one was 6.75 cm ventral from the top of the poll on midline. I informed REDACTED, QA Manager of the forth-coming noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.16 (a)(1), which states animals must be rendered unconscious immediately.
313.15(a)(1)
On 11/01/2022 at 1338 hours while verifying HATS category VIII Stunning effectiveness, I observed the following noncompliance. A Holstein cow was in the restrainer. The establishment employee placed the pressurized captive bolt stunner on the forehead 2 inches above the eyes. However, I observed the stunner was placed right of center and approximately 20-30 degrees off perpendicular to the surface of the forehead and apply the stun. The cow jerked her head when the stun was applied. The cow was still conscious, with open blinking eyes actively looking around and tracking movement while still holding her head up in a distressed manner. The establishment employee immediately applied a second stun with the same pressurized captive bolt stunner closer to the sagittal midline of the cow’s forehead. This stun was effective at rendering the cow unconscious. Inspection personnel retained the head of the cow for further examination of the forehead. The examination of the head revealed the initial stun to be approximately 2.5-3 inches off the sagittal midline and angled away from the cranium. The second stun while not centered on the midline was closer as well as being perpendicular to the forehead achieving the state of unconsciousness. Inspection personnel informed Harvest Superintendent REDACTED of the forthcoming noncompliance for failure to meet the requirement of 9 CFR 313.15 (a)(1). Verbal corrective action was supplied by Harvest Superintendent REDACTED to inspection personnel shortly after the time of the event.
313.15(a)(1)
On 10/20/2022 at 1350 hours while verifying HATS category VIII Stunning effectiveness, I observed the following noncompliance. A large Hereford bull with large horns was in the restrainer. The establishment employee placed the pressurized captive bolt stunner in the center of the forehead about 2.5 inches above the level of the eyes. The captive bolt stunner bounced off the bull’s forehead. The bull jerked his head when the stun was applied. The bull was still conscious, with open eyes actively looking around and tracking movement while still holding his head up of his own accord. The establishment employee immediately applied a second stun with the same pressurized captive bolt stunner in the same general area on the bull’s forehead. This stun was effective at rendering the bull unconscious. Inspection personnel retained the head of the bull for further examination of the forehead. Inspection personnel informed Harvest Supervisors REDACTED and REDACTED, Harvest Superintendent REDACTED, and SQF Practitioner REDACTED of the forthcoming noncompliance for failure to meet the requirement of 9 CFR 313.15 (a)(1). Verbal corrective action was supplied by SQF Practitioner REDACTED to inspection personnel shortly after the time of the event.
