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

313.15(a)(1)

On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at approximately 0853 while observing HATS Category VIII-Stunning Effectiveness, I, REDACTED DVM, observed the following noncompliance: a team member attempted to stun an animal with a handheld captive bolt device. The first attempt was ineffective to stun the steer as the animal remained conscious and was observed to be blinking after going down in the chute. The animal got up after a short time and a wound was observed on the head from the first stun attempt. The team member retrieved the firearm and an additional team member crowded the animal to the rear of the knock box, however no additional stun attempt was made. The owner was contacted and was offsite at the time of the occurrence. At approximately 0900 hours, the owner returned, and the animal was rendered unconscious with a firearm. CSI REDACTED informed the plant owner that slaughter was halted but the establishment could move the animals, that were previously stunned, through the dressing process. Inspector REDACTED then placed U.S. Reject tag number B45697125 on the knock box and verbally informed the owner Mr. REDACTED of the observations. Mr. REDACTED was informed of the noncompliance record and that the establishment failed to render the animal immediately unconscious with the first application of the stunner and failed to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1). He was informed that corrective actions needed to be taken immediately