Neighbors Meats LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

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

HATS Category VIII At approximately 0830 hours, while performing a HATS Category VIII task, Stunning Effectiveness, I Dr. REDACTED, observed the following noncompliance. The beef heifer came into the restrainer box, fought the head restraint, slipped, and became recumbent on its sternum. The establishment employees attempted to get the heifer to rise but it remained recumbent. They asked Dr. REDACTED to verify the heifer was healthy and approve slaughter on a healthy animal. She approved the heifer for slaughter. The hand-held captive bolt (HHCB) went off on the first attempt and penetrated the skull. The heifer remained conscious, vocalized, and attempted to rise. The second stun was attempted with the backup HHCB. It penetrated the skull, but the heifer again remained conscious, vocalized, and attempted to rise. The third stun attempt with the backup HHCB penetrated the skull and the heifer slumped to its side, stopped vocalizing, ceased blinking, and appeared unconscious. The establishment cut the throat to allow the heifer to bleed out. Prior to shackling, the heifer was observed to be rhythmically breathing and attempted to rise. The fourth stun attempt with a HHCB rendered the animal unconscious. I notified Establishment Owner REDACTED that slaughter would not be allowed to continue and of the forthcoming noncompliance. This is a violation of 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) and 313.15(a)(3). I took a regulatory control action and placed a U.S. Reject tag #B38037056 on the restrainer and informed the establishment I would be contacting the District Office for further guidance. The head was reviewed after the incident. All four captive bolt holes were in the same location in the center of the head, caudal to the eyes.