Cowboy Meat Company: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII - Stunning Effectiveness At approximately 0857 on 03/08/2024 at est. M47648, IPP observed the following noncompliance. Two employees were observed standing around a Porcine Sow after it had been stunned with a 410 shotgun. Despite the stun, the sow exhibited signs of conscious movement, attempted to rise, and responded to stimuli to the eye when IPP touched it, but there was no vocalization. IPP immediately motioned for the establishment employee to apply another stun with the 410 shotgun. The second stun attempt was also ineffective, with the sow displaying similar signs of consciousness with no vocalization. The third stun attempt was administered by the establishment Owner with the 410 shotgun and was successful at rendering the sow insensible to pain and remained insensible during the shackling, hoisting, and bleeding process. US Reject tag No. B45531597 was applied to the stun box. IPP verbally notified the Plant owner of the forthcoming noncompliance. Upon inspection of the dressed head, IPP observed three penetrating holes in the skull, one high, one low and one central. The Denver Management Team was notified through supervisory channels. The establishment currently operates under a robust systematic approach to livestock humane handling and performed quarterly humane handling audits. There has been no noncompliance of the same or similar cause in the last 90 days.