American Butchery: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the American Butchery slaughterhouse establishment in 2024.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2024.
313.15(a)(1)
Hats Category VIII: -Stunning Effectiveness; 9 CFR: 313.15(a)(1) On August 06, 2024 at approximately 1150 hours in Est M1400 FLS REDACTED and Dr. REDACTED observed at the knock box the following; A small heifer was brought into the Knock box. The establishment employes were having difficulty restraining the head of the heifer due to her size. The first stunning attempt was applied using a captive bolt stunner. The animal remained standing and had rhythmic breathing. This first stunning attempt was ineffective. The establishment then immediately attempted to use a backup captive bolt stunner , the stunning bolt misfired or malfunctioned. The device appeared to not fire and/or come into contact with the animal. The establishment employee then applied a third stunning attempt. This stunning attempt was effective and the animal was rendered unconscious. FLS REDACTED observed the head of the heifer to have two holes. The hole from the ineffective first stun, appeared to be low and located at the top of the eyes. The second hole from the third attempt which was effective, was correct placement. Dr REDACTED informed REDACTED Owner and REDACTED Slaughter Manager of the non-compliance. Verbal corrective actions were given by Mr. REDACTED Mr. REDACTED agreed to submit them in writing by end of day. Verbal corrective actions were to not slaughter animals that were undersized (under 800 lbs) and/ or that would not be effectively restrained in the chute until further modifications to the chute were made. Mr. REDACTED agreed to have mats placed on the floor of the cute to prevent slips by 10 am on August 7, 2024. Additionally, he agreed to install or fabricate measures to place a restraint or bars behind the animal which would assist in pushing the animal forward and restraining the animal effectively. The establishment has a systematic humane handling approach. According to observances, they are implementing their program. Similar noncompliance was observed for ineffective stun on June 28, 2024, resulting in an NOIE. Corrective actions proposed, has failed to prevent reoccurrence. Dr. REDACTED reminded the Mr. REDACTED Repeated/similar incidents of this type may result in further administrative actions as described in 9 CFR 500.
313.15(a)(1)
HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness 313.15 (a)(1): Immediate unconsciousness (captive bolt) On 4/24/24, at approximately 11:11am, CSI REDACTED was on the slaughter floor performing a routine Livestock Humane Handling task. CSI REDACTED was observing the knock box at establishment M1400. CSI REDACTED observed as a steer was loaded into the knock box. The steer was restrained. An establishment employee administered the first knock in the center of the head with a captive bolt stunner, the steer did not drop. The first knock did not render the animal unconscious. The employee then administered a second knock on the center of the head and the steer was visually conscious. The steer vocalized and began to move it’s head side to side. The establishment employee then administered a third knock and the animal was rendered unconscious. Animal head hide was removed and CSI REDACTED observed three holes on the head. All three holes were in the center of the head. This is a violation of regulation 9 CFR 313.15 (a)(1) CSI REDACTED took enforcement action and placed a US Retain tag on the knock box using tag B-45 627507. CSI REDACTED then notified manager REDACTED and owner REDACTED that a noncompliance report would be issued. This establishment does not have a written robust systematic approach to humane handling. The establishment follows standard humane handling procedure to minimize stress, discomfort, and injury to animals.
313.15(b)(1)(iii),313.15(a)(1)
HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness 313.15(a)(1): Adequate Restraint: 313.15(b)1(iii) On March 13th, 2023, at approximately 9:38 am, CSI REDACTED performed a humane handling task at the knocking box of establishment M1400. CSI REDACTED observed an employee use a handheld captive bolt stunner to knock a hog in the knocking box. The knocking box did not restrain the hog. CSI REDACTED observed the employee attempt to stun the animal at the same time it moved. The hog vocalized when the captive bolt projectile contacted the head. A hole and blood were visible on the face of the hog. The employee immediately used the secondary captive bolt and was not successful in stunning the hog. The hog dropped down and attempted to right itself by putting its legs underneath it’s body. CSI REDACTED alerted the employee that the hog was still conscious and ordered a third knock. A third attempt with the captive bolt stun was effective in rendering the hog into complete unconsciousness and remained so through bleeding. CSI REDACTED took immediate enforcement action and tagged the knock box with US Retain tag B-45 561012. CSI REDACTED then notified manager REDACTED and owner REDACTED that a noncompliance report would be issued. Establishment provided written corrective action. Owner REDACTED met with CSI REDACTED to confirm corrective actions were adequate. CSI REDACTED monitored the implementation of preventative measures. CSI REDACTED removed tag and permitted slaughter to continue.
313.15(a)(1)
HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness 313.15 (a)(1): Immediate unconsciousness (captive bolt) On March 14th, 2024, at approximately 3:15pm, CSI REDACTED performed a humane handling task at the alley of the pens of establishment M1400. CSI REDACTED observed two employees at the alley with a longhorn. The longhorn was not restrained. CSI REDACTED observed the two employees with handheld captive bolt stunners following the longhorn's head trying to get a good angle to stun. CSI REDACTED observed one of the employees crouch next to the animal with a handheld captive bolt stunner attempt to stun the animal as it put its head down next to the pen gate. CSI REDACTED observed an ineffective first knock on the animal but was unable to confirm due to the animal still standing and being fully conscious. CSI REDACTED asked employee if he hit the animal and employee stated that he hit the metal gate and not the animal. Establishment applied a second stun knock to the animal rendering it unconscious. Employees then applied a third security knock once the animal was down. Upon further inspection CSI REDACTED observed a stun blow to above the right eye of the long horn from the first ineffective knock. Longhorn head hide was removed and CSI REDACTED observed three holes on the head. Two in the center of the forehead and one above the right eye of the animal. This is a violation of regulation 9 CFR 313.15 (a)(1) CSI REDACTED took enforcement action and placed a US Retain tag on the alley using tag B-45 561010. CSI REDACTED then notified manager REDACTED that a noncompliance report would be issued. Owners were not on site. On 3/13/24 CSI REDACTED issued NR CTE3910033813 to establishment due to a similar incident. The establishment responded to the incident stating that they would monitor humane restraint on animals going forward.
313.2
On 1/17/24, at approximately 8:45 hours, while performing a routine humane handling task CSI REDACTED observed the following non-compliance: IIC was outside observing the unloading of animals into pen #1 and #2. IIC observed that the animals did not have any access to water in either pen. This is violation of regulation 9 CFR 313.2
313.2
On 10/6/23, at approximately 08:18 hours, while performing a routine Livestock Humane Handling task CSI REDACTED observed the following non-compliance: IPP observed a steer in Pen 2 with an empty water bucket in the pen. Upon further observation, IPP found the bucket was completely empty and dry. There was no other available water in the pen. Manager REDACTED was notified immediately along with owner REDACTED. This is violation of regulations III. Water and Feed Availability (9 CFR 313.2): Under this category, IPP record their verification of the establishment’s compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e), “which requires that water be available to livestock in all holding pens at all times” On, 9/21/23, IPP afforded establishment due process by discussing a similar incident that occurred on 9/18/23 with owner REDACTED during the weekly establishment meeting. Owner REDACTED assured IPP that he would speak to his employees to make sure water was available to livestock in holding pens at ALL times.
