National Cattle Works LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness On March 1st, 2024, at 0727 hours while in conduction of Livestock Humane Handling Inspection for Stunning Effectiveness and Conscious Animals On The Rail, and accompanied by my SPHV, we observed the following noncompliance. The first horned steer of three horned bovines scheduled for Slaughter was in the stun box, the animal was pacing from side to side. The establishment was unable to get the animal to insert its head into the head catch due to its horns being too wide. We observed the stun operator administer the first stun attempt with a .38 Special caliber firearm at the same time that the animal lowered its head. The bovine continued to remain standing in the stun box and continued to exhibit signs of consciousness and was bleeding from the forehead. We observed blinking and rhythmic breathing but heard no vocalization as the steer remained standing on all 4 feet. We then observed the stun operator administer a second stun attempt with the same .38 Special caliber rifle within seconds, which successfully rendered the animal insensible. We observed the tongue of the animal hanging limp, there was no blinking of the eye, no breathing, nor vocalizing. The stun operator proceeded to bleed the animal. I immediately took Regulatory Contral Action by tagging the stun box with U.S. Rejected Tag# B-45437046. We verbally notified the Plant Manager that a noncompliance would be documented. We immediately contacted our Frontline Supervisor. The Denver District Management Team was notified through supervisory channels. During inspection of the dressed head, we verified two penetrating stun holes. The first penetrating stun hole was located above the left eye, the second penetrating stun hole was located in the center of the head. After 90-day review of documentation, the last recorded noncompliance report was issued on December 8th, 2023. This noncompliance report will be associated with NR# CDS4614121208N documented on December 8th, 2023, for the same root cause. This establishment has implemented a Robust Systematic Approach to the Humane Handling of Livestock.

313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness On December 8th, 2023, at 1200 hours while in conduction of Livestock Humane Handling Inspection for Stunning Effectiveness and Conscious Animals On The Rail, I observed the following noncompliance. The third Longhorn steer of three Longhorn bovines scheduled for Slaughter was to be stunned in the outside holding pens as an alternate method, due to the horn of these cattle preventing the establishment from being able to drive these three bovines through the chute and into the stun box. I observed the animal to be agitated, moving from side to side and back and forth within the outside holding pen. I observed the stun operator wait until the animal held still. Once the animal was calm and standing still, the stun operator proceeded to administer the first stun attempt with a .38 Special caliber rifle. I observed the animal move its head just before the stun was applied; the animal remained standing. I observed the animal move in a side-to-side motion and turn around to where the animal was no longer facing the stun operator. No vocalization was heard but, I observed normal blinking and rhythmic breathing. I then observed the stun operator immediately administer a second stun attempt with the same .38 Special caliber rifle through the back of the bovine’s head, which successfully rendered the animal insensible. I observed the tongue of the animal sticking out, there was no blinking of the eye, no breathing, nor vocalizing, the stun operator proceeded to bleed the animal. No regulatory control action was taken due to the observed immediate and effective corrective actions. I verbally notified the Plant Manager that a noncompliance would be documented. I immediately contacted the SPHV and FLS. The Denver District Management Team was notified through supervisory channels. There have been no noncompliance records issued for the same root cause in the past 90 days. This establishment has not implemented a robust systematic approach to the humane handling of livestock. During inspection of the dressed head, I verified two penetrating stun holes. The first penetrating stun hole was located behind the left eye, the second penetrating stun hole was located in the center in the back of the head.