Vermont Packinghouse LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness On April 17, 2023, at approximately 1130 while I was observing stunning effectiveness an Angus heifer was loaded into the knock box and an establishment employee attempted to stun the animal with a handled captive bolt device (HHCB). The employee discharged the HHCB, and it contacted the head of the heifer at approximately eye level. The heifer was still conscious, as evidenced by attempts to stand and violent head thrashing. The establishment employee then grabbed a second HHCB device and applied a second stun immediately. After the second stun the animal dropped in the chute and was rendered insensible (no eye movement, no blinking reflex and no longer thrashing). The animal remained unconscious throughout the shackling and sticking process. Upon inspection of the head there were two penetrating holes. The initial stun was at eye level, roughly 2” below the desired area and entered the nasal cavity. The second knock was placed appropriately and entering the brain cavity. This is non compliant with 313.15(a)(1): Immediate unconsciousness (captive bolt). I notified slaughter floor supervisor REDACTED of my observations and that I would be issuing a non-compliance. No regulatory control action was taken because of the immediate action taken by the establishment employee to administer a second knock. There are no similar non compliance records have been documented in the last 90 days.