F.B. Purnell Sausage Company Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.2

HATS category IV: Ante-mortem Inspection While performing the Livestock Humane Handling task at Purnell Sausage Co. (M7464), Simpsonville, KY, Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer (SVMO) REDACTED, DVM made the following observation in the holding pens of the establishment: At approximately 0600 hrs. EDT while observing ante-mortem inspection, an establishment employee was moving animals from one pen to another. The paddle employed by establishment personnel to aid in the movement of the animals was observed to be in disrepair, and as such, a regulatory control action was taken by Dr. REDACTED and establishment personnel were instructed to stop driving the animals. Upon closer inspection of the paddle, the bottom portion of the paddle body was found to be missing pieces thereby exposing jagged, sharp, pointed hard plastic with the potential for inflicting injury to the animals. Further investigation found an additional paddle available for use by establishment personnel in the holding pens to be in disrepair as well. The observed paddles were verbally rejected for use by Dr. REDACTED Assistant Kill Floor Supervisor REDACTED was notified of the above observation, regulatory control action, and forthcoming documentation of non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(c).

313.2

HATS category III: water and feed availability While performing ante-mortem inspection on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at approximately 1030 hrs. EST, a sow in holding pen #1 of Purnell Sausage Co. (M7464) Simpsonville, KY was observed by Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer (SVMO) REDACTED, DVM to be actively aborting feti. The sow in question was moved to the “suspect pen” and U.S. Suspect tag M2713998 along with FSIS Form 6150-1 was placed upon the gate of the pen. At approximately 0630 hrs. EST on Friday, January 26, 2024, Dr. REDACTED examined the sow to determine if parturition was complete. As the sow was not in active labor and all fetal membranes appeared to be passed, the sow was passed for slaughter. However, Dr. REDACTED noted the absence of feed availability in the suspect pen; the sow had been on the premises over 24 hours as Dr. REDACTED noted the presence of the animals in pen #1 upon arrival at the establishment at approximately 0545 hrs. EST on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Kill Floor Supervisor REDACTED was notified of this observation and forthcoming documentation of non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e).

313.2

HATS category VI: Electric prodding/Alternative Object Use While performing the food inspector relief break at approximately 1310 hrs. EST at Purnell Sausage Co. (M7464) Simpsonville, KY, Supervisory Veterinary Medical Officer (SVMO) REDACTED, DVM noted excessive and continual vocalization of an animal emanating from the restrainer area of the kill floor. Upon further investigation and arrival at the restrainer, a sow was observed in the chute system leading to the restrainer, balking at the entrance to the restrainer. An establishment employee was observed repeatedly applying an electric prod (“hotshot”) to the rear quarters of the animal without success in advancing the animal into the restrainer. This action by the establishment employee was deemed excessive in the opinion of Dr. REDACTED, as evidenced by the continual vocalization, and observed excitement of the animal. Dr. REDACTED took an immediate regulatory control action and verbally instructed the establishment employee to stop. Kill Floor Supervisor REDACTED was notified of the non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(b) and the forthcoming documentation. Supervisor REDACTED immediately removed the sow from the chute system via a side exit and proffered the replacement of the establishment employee.

313.2

HATS Category VI – Electric Prodding/Alternative Object Use: On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at approximately 0920 hours, while verifying the HATS Category VI, Electric Prodding/Alternative Object Use at Purnell’s Sausage Co. M7464, I, CSI REDACTED, observed the following noncompliance: I observed a sow standing against the dividing rail on the north-east corner of Pen 7. As I approached the holding pen, I observed the establishment handler forcibly striking the before mentioned sow in an attempt to drive the animal. The employee was raising the paddle above his head, and repeatedly striking the animal. These attempts were unsuccessful, as the sow refused to move and was observed vocalizing. Due to both the observed nature of implement usage, and the observed repeated ineffective attempts, I determined the employee’s implement usage to be excessive. I immediately instructed the employee to stop this action, and notified Q.A. Supervisor REDACTED, Kill Floor Supervisor REDACTED, and Plant Manager REDACTED of my observations and of the non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.2(b).