Langdon Locker, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

On 4/26/2024 at approximately 9:33 AM as IPP was observing Humane Handling HATS category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness, the following noncompliance was observed. A sow was led to the restrainer, when the head was put into a fixed position inside the restrainer the sow vocalized. REDACTED, owner, brought the handheld captive bolt (HHCB) to the area in front of the sow and used the HHCB on the sow, which was vocalizing. After the first HHCB stunning attempt, the sow remained conscious and continued to vocalize for several seconds. REDACTED immediately made two additional stun attempts in the same location on the sow with the same HHCB and the sow was rendered unconscious. It was noted that when the second stun attempt was applied that brain matter was coming out of the hole where the bolt entered. IPP observed that the sow was still opening and closing its mouth, exhibiting agonal gasping, as it was being exsanguinated. IPP informed the owner that further slaughter was temporarily halted and that he would contact the supervisory team for further guidance on the humane handling noncompliance. IPP informed REDACTED, owner, of the forthcoming noncompliance record. After the owner provided verbal preventive measures, slaughter operations resumed. IPP observed the head of the sow after the hide was removed and observed that the stun attempts were all done at the midpoint between the eyes. It was noted that the sow had a thick skull.