Steve & Laura, 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 Steve & Laura, LLC slaughterhouse establishment in 2023.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2023.
313.16(a)(1),313.15(b)(1)(iii),313.16(b)(1)(iii)
On Thursday May 4, 2023, at approximately 0725, while preforming the humane handling task, the following non-compliance was observed. An angus steer was standing in the chute with its head in the head catch at REDACTED. The steer appeared agitated at being restrained and was moving its head around, trying to free itself. The primary shooter stood waiting for the steer to calm down. As he took the first shot with the .410 shotgun, the steer moved its head slightly, resulting in the shot penetrating the head slightly low and to the right of the target area. The steer remained standing and grunted. The secondary shooter was waiting with a second, pre-loaded .410 shotgun and immediately attempted to stun the animal. As the second shot was taken, the steer moved again, resulting in the shot hitting slightly low yet centered. The animal remained standing after the second stunning attempt. The primary shooter had reloaded his gun during this time and delivered a third shot, which rendered the steer unconscious. All stunning attempts were in rapid succession. Post-mortem examination of the skinned head showed 3 holes in the skull; one low and off center, one low but centered and one that was in the appropriate location. REDACTED was notified that an NR would be issued for the non-compliance. HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness This is a violation of regulations 313.16(a)(1) immediate unconsciousness (gunshot) which states: “(a) Utilization of firearms, required effect; handling. (1) The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be shot in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.” And 313.16(b)(1)(iii) which states: “The provisions contained in 313.15(b)(1)(iii) with respect to the stunning area also apply to the shooting area.” For reference, 313.15(b)(1)(iii) states in part: “The stunning area shall be so designed and constructed as to limit the free movements of animals sufficiently to allow the operator to locate the stunning blow with a high degree of accuracy.”
313.16(a)(1)
On 10-13-22 at approximately 9:35 AM while Observing HATS category VII(stunning), I CSI REDACTED witnessed the following noncompliance: Establishment employee failed to render the steer unconscious with the first shot with a .22 MAG rifle while the steer was in a knock box with a head restraint. The first shot penetrated the steer just above its left eye. The steer vocalized and continued to stand and observe its surroundings. The establishment immediately knocked the animal unconscious with their loaded back up rifle. This is a noncompliance with regulation 313.16(a)(1).
