G.G. RUPPERSBERGER & SONS INC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

On April 29, 2024, at approximately 1128 hours, I, CSI REDACTED, observed non-compliance with HATS category VIII Stunning Effectiveness. I observed that the lamb was still standing after the first shot with a 0.25 caliber captive bolt and Mr. REDACTED, the slaughter floor supervisor, immediately administered another shot to render it unconscious. I notified Mr. REDACTED of the noncompliance, and he confirmed that he had two shots for stunning. Upon inspection during the skinning and head removal, it was noted that two holes were present in the skull. One hole was correctly placed on the midline, while the second was approximately one inch behind on the left side. I promptly notified Mr. REDACTED, the plant manager, who provided the corrective action plan, which states: "Previously, one person was shooting and restraining the lamb, and one person was shackling the lamb. Going forward, a second person will be with the shooter to restrain the lamb. A device will be devised to come down behind the head to help restrain the lamb." The corrective action involves having a second person present to restrain the lamb during stunning, along with devising a restraining device to ensure proper stunning. The slaughter operation was stopped until the establishment provided acceptable corrective actions, and I relinquished the regulatory control at approximately 1210 hours. This is noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), which states: "The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are 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."

313.15(a)(1)

On April12,2024 at approximately 0945. I, Dr. REDACTED observed the following non-compliance with HATS category VIII Stunning Effectiveness a Black Cow walked into the knock box. The establishment employee went to take his first knock with the .25 caliber captive bolt, the cow's head was positioned within the head restraint but wasn't properly secured. When he was attempting this knock, the cow moved her head. The establishment employee did not think that he contacted the head when the animal moved due to the animal remaining standing, blinking, and breathing. The establishment employee immediately took a second shot in which rendered the cow unconscious. After the head was removed and skinned, it was noticed that there were 2 holes present in the skull. One hole was in correct placement on midline. The second hole was approximately 1 inch below the right location. I immediately notified Mr. REDACTED the plant manager and tagged the knock box by tag # B 14095140 (US Rejected). I released the tag later after I received the corrective action from establishment management, stated that." We will change the stunning operator. We will change the restraint procedure to be more restriction and less movement. The new operator will utilize the ladder to get better angle." Taking more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), which states: "The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are 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."

313.15(a)(1)

Today, February 15, 2024, at approximately 0645 hours, while observing the livestock humane handling HATS category VIII, stunning effectiveness, I CSI, REDACTED, observed the following non-compliance. An establishment employee administered a captive bolt shot to the forehead of a black angus steer’s skull with a 0.22 caliber captive bolt gun. I observed that the first shot proved ineffective as the steer remained standing, eyes blinking and no signs of agitation. I immediately notified Mr. REDACTED, Plant Manager and SPHV Dr. REDACTED. Establishment employees stated that the gun did not fire properly and did not penetrate the skull. Employees stated that there is malfunction in the captive bolt gun. Employees attempted to fix the issue with the captive bolt but were unable to do so. I observed Mr. REDACTED then leave the slaughter floor to retrieve the 2nd captive bolt. After retrieving the 2nd captive bolt, I observed that the second shot was administered approximately 3-4 minutes after the first shot which rendered the steer unconscious. I observed the skinned steer head to have a 0.22 caliber bolt in the forehead/midline area and 0.25 caliber bolt on the skull region/midline area in between the two eyes approximately 1 inch below from the 0.22 caliber hole. I immediately notified Mr. REDACTED of the non-compliance and tagged the cattle knock box/head restraint area with US retain tag # B45 309301. Mr. REDACTED is being notified through this noncompliance and that taking more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), which states: "The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are 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.”

313.2

At approximately 0917 hours on 12/20/23, while performing Ante-mortem inspection, I, CSI, REDACTED observed non-compliance with Humane Handling, HATS category III- Water and feed Availability. There is a common water trough between Pen 4 and Pen 5 and I observed that there was no presence of water in the trough. Approximately 10 cattle were present altogether in Pen 4 and did not have access to water. I immediately notified Mr. REDACTED, Plant Manager, and all cattle were immediately removed out of the pen and the trough was cleaned and fresh water added. This observance is a non-compliance with regulation 9 CFR 313.2 (e), “Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed”.

313.15(a)(1)

On 12/15/23 at approximately 10:10AM IPP observed the following non-compliance with HATS category VIII “Stunning Effectiveness”. A black Angus steer walked into the knock box. The establishment employee went to take his first knock with the .22 caliber captive bolt in the correct placement. When attempting this knock, the steer moved his head. The establishment employee did not think that he contacted the head when the animal moved due to the animal remaining standing, blinking, and breathing. The establishment employee immediately took a second shot in which rendered the steer unconscious. After the head was removed and skinned, it was noticed that there were 2 holes present in the skull. One hole was in correct placement on midline. The second hole was approximately 1.5” to the right of midline. Taking more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), which states: "The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are 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." Mr. REDACTED and Mr. REDACTED were informed of the noncompliance.