Mason Hills LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1),313.15(a)(3)

HATS CATEGORY VIII – Stunning Effectiveness At about 10:50, a black bull was put in the knocking box for slaughter. There was an initial shot with the stun gun (captive bolt), based on conscious tracking eye movement the first shot was ineffective. The second shot was taken immediately but due to conscious tracking eye movement and conscious vocalizing, the second shot was ineffective. The animal was stuck with a knife to try and bleed it out before the third shot, while still conscious. There was some gun failure between the second and third shot, before a third shot was taken. Due to conscious vocalizing and righting efforts the third shot was deemed ineffective. Dr. REDACTED entered and examined the animal. The animal was then stunned again with a 4th attempt using the same captive bolt stunner as the third attempt which rendered the animal unconscious and it remained so thereafter. The knocking box was tagged with USDA tag no, B38909959. REDACTED, Plant Manager, was notified that slaughter would be suspended due to this incident in humane handling. The plant is not operating under a robust systematic humane handling approach.