West Michigan Beef Co. LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

On 4/27/23 at approximately 10:00am, I REDACTED, SPHV while performing HATS category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness observed the following noncompliance. A Holstein steer with a large head consistent with hydrocephalus was presented for antemortem and was suspected. The animal was put in the knock box and placed in a guillotine-style head restraint. A bull captive bolt gun was placed on the forehead and a shot was fired. This first shot was ineffective at rendering the animal unconscious as the animal was blinking, had conscious eye movements, and was bleeding from the knock hole. A second preloaded backup captive bolt gun was used for the second shot which was placed next to the first shot. This immediate second shot was also ineffective at rendering the animal unconscious. A third shot to the front of the head with a captive bolt had similar effect where the animal was still conscious with blinking and conscious eye movements. At this point the employee raised the head restraint and placed the captive bolt gun at the back of the head for a poll shot. This fourth shot rendered the animal unconscious as it collapsed and had no corneal reflex. This is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) which states that the captive bolt stunner shall be applied to livestock to produce immediate unconsciousness. Regulatory action was taken by placing a retain tag on the knock box (B45499111) so that no further animals could be stunned. Plant owner REDACTED REDACTED was notified of this noncompliance and the regulatory action taken. Post-mortem examination of the head revealed that there were three knock holes observed in the front of the skull consistent with where the shots were placed. These holes led into a large pocket of blood and fluid and appeared to miss the brain completely.