2 Creek Butchery, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1),313.16(a)(3)

HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness: Today at approximately 1457 hours, I, CSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance while performing a Livestock Humane Handling verification task at establishment #M947, 2 Creek Butchery. The slaughter floor operator employee was knocking an animal with a semi-auto, 22-mag. rifle on a steer in the kill-box. The first shot was applied appeared to hit near the central forehead of the animal, but the animal moved its head at the last moment therefore the initial shot was not effective in rendering the animal unconscious. The animal remained standing, hunched posture, eyes blinking and still moving around in the kill-box. The slaughter floor operator immediately applied a second shot to the center area of the animal’s forehead. The second knock was effective and rendered the animal immediately unconscious. The incident mentioned above occurred at the end of operations for the day. IPP temporarily suspended slaughter operations until the issue could be resolved and then notified SPHV, REDACTED of the incident. No U.S. Rejected Tag was utilized as IPP remained in the immediate area. The establishment immediately took corrective action by, retraining the employee on good humane handling practices and accurate shot placement. As a preventive measure, Plant Manager, REDACTED stated that establishment will give erratic cattle more time to calm down in the kill-box before slaughtering them. IPP notified Plant Manager, REDACTED of the non-compliance and the failure to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1) and 313.16(a)(3).

313.15(a)(1)

At approximately 1340, I observed the following: During the slaughter activity at the kill floor knock box, Mr. REDACTED prepared to fire the captive bolt; the market swine jerked away which caused Mr. REDACTED to inadvertently misfire, the bolt punctured the front left side of the head. His arm was forced up and banged against the knock box causing an injury. The animal proceeded to be agitated, Mr. REDACTED immediately tried to render the animal unconscious using the rifle, but due to the previously mentioned injury, missed completely. Upon realizing the extent of his injury, Mr. REDACTED instructed another employee to operate the rifle and left the floor to ascertain his injury. This employee proceeded to fire another round which connected, causing the animal to fall, this was followed up with another shot to verify unconsciousness. Upon sticking the animal for exsanguination, CSI immediately requested all personnel to leave the room and notified them to quit slaughtering. Tag #B-45799460 was used to take a regulatory control action and the room was promptly cleared. CSI promptly contacted his supervisor and notified the establishment that slaughtering for remainder of the day would be stopped for the time being. Mr. REDACTED arm began to swell very quickly, and his hand began to show signs of discoloration. After handing off the rifle, Mr. REDACTED expressed that he couldn’t move his arm, exhibiting that his motor functions were severely impacted following the initial captive bolt misfire. Following the incident, Mr. REDACTED arm continued to show limited mobility in his shoulder, elbow and hands and will require further evaluation. Owner, Mr. REDACTED was notified of forth coming noncompliance record for failure to meet requirements of CFR 313.15(a) (1). After discussion with the supervisory chain of command and notification of forthcoming noncompliance record, the tag was removed, and knocking was allowed to resume the following operational day.