Shuff Meat Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

On 7/13/2023 at approximately 0820 hours while observing HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness of the Humane Handling Verification Task at REDACTED (REDACTED), I, Dr. REDACTED observed the following Livestock Humane Handling (HH) noncompliance. A black, market steer entered the knock box without incident. For an extended period, the steer kept looking around and sniffing the wall to the opposite side of the knock box, away from the employee utilizing a 0.22 caliber rifle as a stunning device. As the employee went to deliver the first stun attempt, the steer quickly moved its head away as the employee pulled the trigger. It was unknown at the time if the first shot contacted the animal, as the steer remained fully conscious, standing, blinking, and rhythmic breathing. The employee immediately reloaded the rifle and tried to position himself for a second stun attempt, during which time the steer turned around in the knock box thereby preventing proper accessibility. Upon witnessing this, a second employee grabbed the 0.22 magnum back-up rifle and aided the first employee by attempting to gain a clear line of sight through the bars of the head catch on the front of the knock box. The employee(s) followed their written robust systematic approach (RSA) to humane handling and applied a second shot, which was effective at rendering the animal unconscious prior to shackling, hoisting, sticking, and bleeding. After the head was removed and skinned, it was observed there were two (2) holes in the cranium; the first shot was very low and to the right, just medial to the orbit of the right eye. The second hole was accurately placed in the ??X????between the eyes and poll. As a direct observer, SPHV, and acting DVMS this week, I made the determination the establishment followed their RSA and that the incident would be considered a non-egregious HH non-compliance. As a follow-up, I contacted DDM, Dr. REDACTED, who confirmed my determination. One additional noteworthy finding: I observed that the establishment did not utilize the head catch device when restraining this steer. When later questioned as to why, the employee responded that when an animal pulled back forcefully, the device would fail to stay closed, thereby releasing the animal??s head. He also stated the manufacturer of the device had come once to repair the device. However, the repair was unsuccessful. Additionally, I watched the employee demonstrate the process to me multiple times and observed several areas of the device that had been repositioned and welded back in place. None of the reworking procedures were effective at rendering the head catch fully operational as of this HH incident. This is a non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.16 (a)(1) which states, ??The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into

313.15(a)(1)

On 7/20/2023 at approximately 0820 hours while observing HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness of the Humane Handling Verification Task at Shuff's Meats (M-10808), I, CSI REDACTED observed the following Livestock Humane Handling (HH) noncompliance. A beef cow entered the knock box without incident. For several minutes, the beef cow was trying to turn around in the box, kept looking around and sniffing the walls. As the stunner operator went to deliver the first stun attempt, the animal quickly moved its head away as the operator pulled the trigger. It was unknown at the time if the first shot contacted the animal, as the animal remained fully conscious, standing, blinking, and rhythmic breathing. The operator immediately reloaded the captive bolt and delivered a second stun attempt, which was effective at rendering the animal unconscious prior to shackling, hoisting, sticking, and bleeding. After the head was removed and skinned, it was observed that there were two (2) holes in the cranium; the first shot was to the left of center slightly, higher than the orbit of the left eye. The second hole was accurately placed in the “X” between the eyes and poll. The establishment followed their RSA to HH resulting in this incident being a non-egregious HH non-compliance. As a follow-up, my supervisor came to the slaughter floor after the incident and observed the two holes in the cranium which confirmed my determination. This is a non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.15 (a)(1) which states, “The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.” Mr. REDACTED was verbally notified and establishment owner, Mrs. REDACTED, is hereby notified in writing of this Livestock Humane Handling non-compliance.