Mitchell's Meat Processing, LLC.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

At Mithcell's Meat Processing (TA 46822), at approximately 10:30 AM, While observing Category VIII: Stunning effectiveness, the following non-compliance was observed. The Inspector left the slaughter floor when fire in the hole was announced. The establishment employee (person shooting) called, all clear, so the Inspector returned to the slaughter floor and the animal was not standing. The animal appeared to have fallen forward, head was up right and not floppy, but braced against the head gate. While the Inspector was observing the skinning a separate animal already on the cradle, he looked at the cow that was rendered unconscious, the Inspector saw eyelid movement. Inspector approached the animal in question to see if there were signs of consciousness and was met there by establishment employee. The cow had eyelid movement when touched. The animal did not vocalize at all, and the establishment employee pointed out that brain matter did come out when shot. The Inspector touched ears and they did not flop back and forth. The Inspector also tried to see if the tongue was hanging and floppy but could not open the cow's mouth. The establishment employee said he will shoot it again and took another shot. The cow's head collapsed completely to the floor. Regulatory control action was taken on the knock box with tag # B37138540. REDACTED was informed of the establishment's failure to comply with 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1).

313.30(a)(3)

On 11/10/2022, at approximately 7:45 AM, while verifying compliance with HAT Category VII: Stunning effectiveness, the following noncompliance was observed on the slaughter floor: Establishment employee loaded a sow into the knock box. The establishment employee called “fire-in the- hole”, IIC then moved towards the slaughter room common area/ firearm discharge safe area. IIC heard the first shot with their usual .22 mag caliber rifle, but did not hear the sow drop in the knock box nor establishment employee say, “security shot”. Establishment employee immediately recognized the stun was ineffective from the first shot with the 22 mag. Establishment employee immediately called “fire-in-the-whole” again and proceeded to shoot the sow for a second time with a .223 rifle. IIC then heard the sow drop in the knock box. IIC did not hear any vocalization at any time during this event. Establishment employee called “security shot” and shot the sow for a third time with the .223 rifle. Establishment employee then called “all clear”. IIC proceeded to walk back on the slaughter floor and observed the sow was immediately unconscious with no corneal reflex, voluntary movement, rhythmic breathing. Stunning operator stated they did not feel the sow was effectively unconscious with a smaller caliber due to its size therefore, they transitioned to a higher caliber to ensure it was rendered immediately unconscious when they proceeded to shoot it the second time. IIC observed the head and saw 3 bullet holes, 2 of the holes overlapped each other in the optimal center location for stunning and one bullet hole was slightly left however still in the optimal center. Regulatory Control Action was taken on the knock box, via US Reject tag NO. B37 138541. REDACTED, establishment owner, was notified of the findings and the establishment’s failure to comply with 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1).