Mesa Meats Processing: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

HAT Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness On April 15, 2024, at approximately, 830 am the following noncompliance was observed, While doing my humane handling task, I observed employee REDACTED was using a 22-caliber single shot rifle on a mature sheep to render it unconscious. The employee shot the sheep in the head and the sheep collapsed to its knees and stood up and vocalize again. The employee then shot the sheep with a second shot in the head and the animal stayed down and was unconscious. The employee shot a third shot as a “security shot” to make sure the animal was fully unconscious. At approximately 1030 am I applied US Retain tag #B-46579490. I informed Plant Supervisor REDACTED that a noncompliance would be issued. The establishment was not in compliance with Regulations 316.16(a)(1) Immediate Unconscious(gunshot).

313.1,313.2

At approximately 0700 hours on 2/16/24while performing the anti-mortem portion of the humane handling task, the following noncompliance was observed, HATS category III - Water and Feed Availability. Water was not available to the one head of cattle in the alleyway, it appeared that the animal had been left in the alleyway overnight. At approximately 0720 hours, Establishment employee REDACTED was notified and shown the animal without water. REDACTED immediately started to ensure. Establishment employee and cut floor supervisor REDACTED was notified this was a noncompliance with availability of water for the animal 9 CFR 313.12(e) which states in part that Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and that an NR would be issued. REDACTED stated that he would talk with employees to make sure that water is accessible to all animals at the beginning and end of operations going forward. Continued failure to meet regulatory requirements can result in further regulatory or administrative action(s) as delineated in 9 CFR 500.4. Documented by CSI REDACTED