I’O Processing, Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.16(b)(2)

On April 23rd, 2024, at approximately 1020 hours, while on the slaughter floor of I’O Processing Inc, I observed the following. I heard an animal (bovine) being loaded into the stun box for stunning. I heard one rifle discharge (.22caliber magnum), then a few seconds later I heard the rifle discharge again. I walk through the door that separates the Stunning Room from the Offal Room, and when I entered the Stunning Room, I observed a bull’s head in the head catchment of the stun box. The animal appeared to be effectively stunned so I went back into the Offal Room. I heard the rifle discharge again a few minutes later. I went back in the Stunning Room and asked the Department Supervisor which animal was just stunned by the rifle. The Department Supervisor said the bull looked like it was still breathing. Establishment employees opened the stun box, While the bull was on the floor, I observed the bull’s stomach and diaphragm area moving in and out in a way that was still potentially consistent with rhythmic breathing. I observed air flowing in and out of the bull’s mouth. I did observe the tongue was loosely hanging out of the side of the mouth and the eyes were not blinking. I conveyed my concerns that the bull may possibly be returning to consciousness to the Department Supervisor, who then immediately administered a deep cut to the jugular area and the animal was exsanguinated without further signs of returning to consciousness. I spoke to the SPHV shortly afterward. At approximately 1110 hours, I was in the Offal Room again and I heard the establishment drive another animal into the stun box. I heard one discharge of the .22caliber magnum rifle and a few seconds later, I heard the same rifle discharge a second time. I went from the Offal room to the Stunning Room and observed another bull restrained in the head catch in the stun box being very vocal, with eyes wide open, tracking its surroundings, and acting very agitated trying to move inside the stun box. I also observed the stun operator reloading the 22-magnum rifle. I observed the stun operator hold the rifle about 6 to 8 inches away from the bull’s head and administer a third stun. The bull was immediately rendered insensible and stopped moving. After the bull was removed from the stun box, I inspected the animal for any signs of returning to consciousness. No signs of consciousness were observed, so I went back to the Offal Room and contacted my SPHV supervisor. I applied U.S. Reject tag# B38002065 to the stun box. I verbally notified the plant manager of the events and forthcoming noncompliance. Upon inspection of the dressed head, three penetrating stun holes were observed. The Denver District Management Team was notified through supervisory personnel. There have been no noncompliance records issued for the same root cause in the past 90 days. This establishment has implemented a robust systematic approach to the humane handling of livestock.