Wolf Pack Meats: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2023 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1),313.16(a)(1)

On 5/15/2023, I CSI REDACTED observed the following: At approximately 1110 hours during slaughter of a fair hog that was market size, while I was conducting an operational sanitation task adjacent to the zero-tolerance area, I heard the .22 magnum caliber rifle fired. From where I was standing near the zero-tolerance station, I could see Production Supervisor, REDACTED turn around to grab the captive bolt stored on the half wall behind him. I immediately started walking towards the knock box to determine what was going on. In the time it took me to walk approximately 45 feet across the room to the small animal stunning area, the captive bolt was fired. The stunning area for small animals is approximately 3 feet wide and approximately 12 feet long and for pigs it does not allow the animals to turn around. When I got to the small animal stunning area after the second stunning attempt, I observed a market hog in lateral recumbency. The hog had rhythmic breathing that was raspy. Additionally, the hog was vocalizing continuously demonstrating it was conscious while it laid in the small animal stunning area. The animal was exhibiting raspy rhythmic breathing and vocalizing continuously. Although the animal was showing signs of consciousness, Mr. REDACTED informed the CSI that he would perform a “safety knock.” I also observed an injury on the right side of the snout. More time elapsed and the hog continued to vocalize as Mr. REDACTED reloaded the captive bolt gun for a third stunning attempt. The hog continued to vocalize after the second stunning attempt until it was rendered insensible on the third stunning attempt. I immediately went and informed Plant Manager, REDACTED of my observation of the humane handling failure and that I was rejecting the knock box. I applied U.S. Reject tag No. B9662562 to the small animal stunning area. Upon examination of the head after it had been scalded, there was a 3-inch long gash on the right side of the snout consistent with an injury from a bullet from the rifle. There were two penetrating holes in the forehead consistent with a captive bolt gun. The first hole was approximately a half an inch to the right and an inch below the center of the skull at approximately the same level as the eyes. The second hole was located in the middle of the forehead. This is non-compliant with Title 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.” In addition, this is non-compliant with Title 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1) which states, “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.” As a result of the non-compliance, a Notice of Intended Enforcement was issued to the establishment.

313.2

On April 27, 2023, at 0733 hours, I SPHV Dr. REDACTED observed the following noncompliance while I was performing a Humane Handling task at M6004. An establishment employee was moving lambs into the alleyway to lead them into the small ruminant knock box when the second lamb was not complying to enter the stunning area. It would move inside of the facility, then it would walk back out, after the fourth attempt to get the lamb to stay in the stunning area, I observed an establishment employee place his left arm under the chest of the lamb and his right arm under the lamb’s abdominal region. He attempted to push the lamb, but as he did so he lifted the lamb off the ground, pushed it into an open white metal door causing the lamb to strike the door with this head and neck and fall on its right side. The lamb thereafter positioned itself in the sitting position facing the door to exit the stunning area and soon after it stood up. I watched the lamb for about four minutes, and I did not observe any physical injuries to the lamb, therefore a U.S. retain tag was not placed on the knock box. At approximately 0745 hours I informed Plant Manager REDACTED that I would be issuing a Humane Handling noncompliance for the above observation. Mr. REDACTED soon after walked over to the establishment employee and had a discussion with him. Then at approximately 1000 hours, during the company break, I walked into the slaughter floor when I observed a sow that was being held inside of the knock box in a puddle of blood from the previously knocked swine without any space to move around while establishment employees were on their company break. I informed Mr. REDACTED that the knock box is not a holding pen and is meant to render livestock unconscious. A U.S Retain tag was not placed to the slaughter area as both species of livestock did not show obvious signs of distress. This noncompliance will not be associated to other noncompliance notices as a review of other notices issued within the last 90 days does not show a noncompliance of similar cause or circumstance. The above is not in compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(a) and 313.2(e). Per 313.2 (a); Driving of livestock from the unloading ramps to the holding pens and from the holding pens to the stunning area shall be done with a minimum of excitement and discomfort to the animals. Livestock shall not be forced to move faster than a normal walking speed. Per 313.2 (e); Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed. There shall be sufficient room in the holding pen for animals held overnight to lie down.