Mills County Meat Locker: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII - Stunning Effectiveness (9 CFR 313.15): On May 31, 2024, at 1359 hours, located in the slaughter room. I was informed by the establishment employee that his first attempt to knock a beef cow with a captive bolt was not effective. The establishment employee then asked me if they could use their back up .22 mm firearm. I did not observe the first stun. I asked the establishment employee if the first stun had made direct contact with the animal, in which the employee responded with yes. I then proceeded to step down into the next room where the knocking area is located, I observed the animal still standing on all four legs. I advised the establishment employee to begin corrective actions. The establishment employee promptly began immediate corrective action by using the firearm, the animal immediately was rendered unconscious. I took regulatory control by retaining the knock box with U.S Reject tag #B45785821. Supervisor REDACTED was present at the time and was verbally notified that a noncompliance record would be documented. Slaughter operations were withheld at this time. After the head was removed and partially skinned, I asked the establishment employee who performed the knocking to show me where the first captive bolt shot penetrated the animal, the employee pointed to the middle of the forehead. I observed a small round hole located on the skull. The employee then informed me that the second shot taken by the firearm was shot on the back of the head. At 1640 hours CSI REDACTED and myself walked over to Supervisor REDACTED office. I informed Mr. REDACTED that he needed to provide us with written corrective actions before I can relinquish the regulatory control action. Mr. REDACTED mentioned that he witness the animal drop to the floor but then get back up on all four legs. He then stated that at any time when the first shot is not effective that they will use the second firearm shot. I explained to Mr. REDACTED that the first shot must be effective, however he mentioned that it was written in their humane handling program that a second shot could be performed when the first shot is ineffective. A similar noncompliance was documented on NR #OHP3216111722N on 11/22/23 for failing to successfully render an animal unconscious.

313.15(a)(1),313.16(a)(1)

On 11/22/2023 at approximately 1422 hours. I observed the establishment loaded a Cattle into the knocking box. The animal was secured in the knocking area. I was told by the employee he took the captive bolt gun and placed the first shot. Employee took backup shot after reloading captive bolt gun and place second shot. I didn’t not observer the first two shots, due to me being in the other room talking with my inspector. I did see the employee leaving knocking area to go to the front to get the pistol. The employee got back with pistol about 1 1⁄2 minutes later. He called fire in the hole to take shot with pistol. Then a few seconds later he called fire in the hole again. So, I didn’t get the opportunity to view the animal after the first shot with pistol. After the second shot I was able to observe that the animal was put down effectively. I tagged the knocking box with U.S. REJECTED Tag B41226014. I notified Supervisor REDACTED of the occurrence. Then I call Dr. REDACTED to inform her. The establishment failed to render the animal unconscious in a manner that will minimize discomfort and excitement. Having an ineffective stun does not meet regulatory requirement of 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) and 313.16(a)(1).