Smith Meat Company, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.2

HATS Category III - Water and Feed Availability On 2/1/2023, at approximately 2 pm, while performing a routine Humane Handling task, I observed the following non-compliance. The water trough in the primary holding pen was completely frozen. This is the only water access animals have in the pen. There were five beef cows in the pen waiting to be slaughtered. This is a non-compliance with 9CFR 313.2 (e) which states that animals shall have access to water in all holding pens. I verbally notified the plant owner of the noncompliance and the forthcoming non-compliance record. A regulatory control action was not taken since the kill floor supervisor took immediate corrective actions by removing the ice and adding fresh water. The District Veterinary Medical Specialist was notified of through supervisory channels. A review of NRs for the past 90 days showed no NRs with similar root cause.

313.15(a)(1)

On 12/5/2022 at approximately 11:10 AM, I, the SPHV, observed the establishment attempt to stun a dairy cow. The initial stun application with a hand-held captive bolt (HHCB) device was ineffective as the animal remained standing, continued to track and blink, and exhibited rhythmic breathing but did not vocalize. The ineffective stun was performed by an inexperienced employee who left the stun area to let the designated stun operator (who had been trimming at the final inspection area) know the animal needed to be stunned. The designated stun operator immediately reloaded the HHCB device and applied a second stun. The second stun was immediately effective in rendering the animal insensible. The animal remained unconscious throughout the shackling, hoisting, and bleeding process. A Reject tag was placed on the gate of the stun box and stunning procedures were halted. Upon review of the dressed head, I observed two stun holes had penetrated the skull. The Denver District Office was contacted and notified of the multi-stun event via supervisory channels. I verbally notified establishment management of the non-compliance. REDACTED provided corrective actions that included placing a sign above the knock box prohibiting untrained employees from attempting to stun an animal. He also held a company meeting with slaughter floor employees notifying them that no one is to stun an animal without training from him personally. IPP are also to be made aware which employees have been trained to stun. There have been no non-compliance records issued for the same root cause within the past 90 days.