Bowman's Butcher Shop, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

On 2/2/2024 at approximately 1200 hours while preforming Humane Handling Stunning Effectiveness I, CSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance: Slaughter floor employee REDACTED placed a black angus steer into the establishments knock-box and head restraint and proceeded to place a shot with the shops 9mm rifle but failed to hit the skulls center resulting in a miss, Mr. REDACTED immediately followed up with a second shot that rendered the steer unconscious. There was no vocalization but the steer was observed standing and tracing movements with both it’s head and eyes until the 2nd shot rendered the steer unconscious. Upon inspection of the head, it was observed that the 1st shot was approximately 1inch to the left of the skulls midline and the 2nd shot was directly in the center. More than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with regulation 9CFR 313.16(a)(1) “(a) Utilization of firearms, required effect; handling. (1) The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section 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.” The establishments knock-box was tagged with US. RETAINED NO. B 14092361. Mrs. REDACTED and Mr. REDACTED were verbally notified of the noncompliance at the time of occurrence. The establishment does have a robust systematic approach to humane handling in place.

313.16(a)(1)

On 2/2/2024 at approximately 0910 hours, while preforming Humane Handling Stunning Effectiveness I, CSI REDACTED observed the following non-compliance: Establishment employee REDACTED placed a black angus steer in the knock-box and head restraint, he then proceeded to take aim with the establishments 9mm rifle and attempted a knock. At the moment of fire, the steer moved and resulted in a miss, Mr. REDACTED immediately attempted another shot with the 9mm but could not align his shot to deliver a proper knock and missed again. Mr. REDACTED then grabbed the backup .22mag rifle and fired another 2 shots both missing their mark. Mr. REDACTED attempted another shot with the .9mm and upon the 5th shot successfully rendered the steer unconscious. There was no vocalization from the steer, but eye reflex, head movement, and the steer was still observed to be standing. Upon further inspection of the steers skull there were two shots from the 9mm placed approximately 1inch below the skulls center and two holes from the .22mag approximately 3cm next to the missed 9mm shots. The 5th shot taken with the 9mm, which rendered the animal unconscious was observed to be slightly off to the left of the center by approximately 1cm. More than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with regulation 9CFR 313.16(a)(1) “(a) Utilization of firearms, required effect; handling. (1) The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section 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.” The establishments knock-box was tagged with US. RETAINED NO.B 14092357. Mrs. REDACTED and Mr. REDACTED were verbally notified of the noncompliance at the time of occurrence. The establishment does have a robust systematic approach to humane handling in place.

313.2

On 12/8/2023, at approximately 0750 hours while verifying Humane Handling- Water and Feed I, CSI, REDACTED observed the following non-compliance: Upon entry to the establishments barn it was observed that there was 7 beef in the center holding pen with no access to water and 3 beef in the right corner pen also without access to water, making a total of 10 beef without access to water. Employee REDACTED was immediately informed of the lack of water and proceeded to fill up troughs for the pens. This is in non-compliance with 9CFR 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". Mr. REDACTED was informed of the noncompliance and Owner REDACTED was informed by message.

313.16(a)(1)

On 12/1/23 at approximately 12pm IPP informed CSI REDACTED of the following noncompliance with HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness. Establishment employee REDACTED had a black Angus steer in the knock box. Mr. REDACTED proceeded to take aim using the establishments .22 magnum and attempted a knock. At the moment of the release the steer jerked its head causing a miss, there was no vocalization from the steer but it remained standing and blinking. Upon missing, Mr. REDACTED immediately prepared his follow up shot and rendered the steer unconscious. Upon inspection of the skull, it was noted that the missed shot was approximately 2 inches from the midline and the second shot was within the desired target area. More than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with regulation 9CFR 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 with a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort. Mrs. REDACTED and Mr. REDACTED were verbally notified of the noncompliance at approximately 12pm. The establishment does have a robust systematic approach to humane handling in place.