J J Meat Co.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

On September 4, 2024, at approximately 1438 hours, while performing HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness task, I CSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance: A relatively inexperienced establishment employee, who was employed sometime in July 2024, administered a knock onto the top of a mature sheep’s head using a hand-held captive bolt (HHCB) device. The knock administered was not effective, as the sheep remained standing, blinking, and blood was coming from the nose, but there was no vocalization. Grey gun powder residue was visible on the wool on the top of sheep’s head from the HHCB used to knock the animal. I immediately informed Quality Control REDACTED who was in the Kill Floor by the Blood Pit area, of the missed knock. The knocking employee loaded another captive bolt into the same handheld device and applied a second knock onto the top of sheep head. Approximately 8 seconds passed between the first and second stun attempt. After the second stun, the sheep remained standing, blinking and bleeding from the nose, with no vocalization. I informed Ms. REDACTED of the second missed knock while the employee loaded a third captive bolt into the handheld device. A third knock was administered approximately 8 seconds after the second, rendering the sheep unconscious. The sheep fell to the ground and no eye reflex was observed. I informed Ms. REDACTED a U.S. Rejection tag was being attached to the knocking box door. Tag B-46605920 was applied at approximately 1439 hours and the Alameda District Office was notified of the noncompliance via supervisory channels. After the animal was rendered unconscious the head was then skinned and SPHV REDACTED examined the condition of the skull. All three strikes from the captive bolt entered the skull. There were two distinct knock holes on top of the skull with lower one being slightly larger. The larger/lower hole was shallower and had bone fragments and hair-like material within, appearing to only strike the sinus and was slightly lower than the ideal location outlined in the plant’s guidance material. The smaller hole, located towards the back of the head, was deeper and penetrated clearly into the brain case. The U.S. rejection tag was promptly removed by Dr. REDACTED at approximately 17:29 hours after the plant’s proffered corrective actions/preventative measures were found acceptable. Noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1).

313.2

On Wednesday June 12, 20224, at approximately 0932 hours, during the performance of a livestock humane handling task, ante-mortem inspection (HATS Category IV), I, CSI REDACTED, observed the following noncompliance under HATS Category III - “Water and Feed Availability”: Five heifer cows inside the pen were presented for antemortem inspection and the water trough inside the pen did not have any water available for the animals. The water trough was dry and did not appear to have held water recently. I immediately informed Animal Handler, Mr. REDACTED, and he immediately turned on the water hose to fill the trough. The animals did not appear to be in distress, but one heifer did start to drink water as the trough was being filled. Dr. REDACTED was notified, and as we walked away from the pen, three more cattle approached the trough and began to drink water. Quality Control Supervisor, Ms. REDACTED, was notified of the noncompliance and the forthcoming documentation of a noncompliance record. Noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e) “(e) Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens...”

313.2

On Monday May 27, 20224 at approximately 1049 hours, during the performance of ante-mortem inspection (Category IV) I CSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance under Category III - “Water and Feed Availability”: Goats being held in the final chute and scale did not have any water available for animals. Establishment was utilizing the final chute and scale just before the knock box as a holding pen during the process of veal. I immediately informed Quality Control Supervisor REDACTED of my observation; at the time of observation no one was present in the pens. At approximately 1050 hours Plant Manger REDACTED Jr. placed a grey tote with water into the temporary holding pen. Ms. REDACTED was notified of Noncompliance and the documentation of a Noncompliance Record. Approximately 28 sheep and goats were being held in the temporary holding pen and did not appear to be in distress nor did they immediate drink water when it was placed into the final chute/scale. Antemortem for goats and sheep was performed at approximately 0953 hours in a holding pen where water was available, animals were moved into the temporary holding pen at approximately 1030 hours. Noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.2(e) “(e) Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens...”