National Cattle Works 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 National Cattle Works LLC slaughterhouse establishment in 2023.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2023.
313.16(a)(1)
HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness On October 12th, 2022, at 1120 hours while in conduction of Livestock Humane Handling Inspection for Stunning Effectiveness and Conscious Animals On The Rail, I CSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance. While the fourth bovine scheduled for Slaughter was in the stun box, the animal was agitated, stomping, and pacing from side to side. The establishment was able to get the animal to insert its head into the head catch a couple of times, but unable to lock the head catch with the animal’s head secured. I then observed the stun operator reach for the firearm and administer the first stun attempt with a .38 mag caliber firearm at the same time that the animal lowered its head. The bovine continued to remain standing in the stun box and continued to exhibit signs of consciousness to include bleeding of the head. I observed blinking and rhythmic breathing but heard no vocalization. The stun operator immediately administered a second stun attempt with the same .38 mag caliber firearm successfully rendering the bovine unconscious, I then observed the bovine drop to the floor of the stun box. The stun operator then opened the latch to the door of the stun box and the animal rolled out into the blood pit. I observed the tongue of the animal sticking out, there was no blinking of the eye, no breathing, nor vocalizing. The stun operator proceeded to bleed the animal. I took Regulatory Control by tagging the Stun Box with U.S. Reject Tag# B45437041. I immediately contacted the FLS. The Denver District Management Team was notified through supervisory channels. I verbally notified the establishment management of the noncompliance. I inspected the dressed and split head and observed two penetrating stun holes. The establishment is currently operating under abeyance and a Verification Plan from a Notice Of Suspension for a similar incident. The establishment does not operate under a robust systematic approach to humane handling.
