North Dakota State University Meat Laboratory: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

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

At approximately 1012 hours on 2/28/24 while observing the HATS Category VIII-Stunning Effectiveness I observed the following noncompliance. The establishment employee stunned bovine #4 with a hand-held captive bolt device and the animal dropped, eyes rolled, and no blinking was observed. The animal was rolled from the restrainer to the slaughter floor and shackled. The animal was hoisted to be bled and when the animal was being stuck, I observed the animal blinked multiple times and it vocalized three times, with open mouth bellering, as the carotid artery was being cut, which indicates that the animal had returned to a conscious state. Dr. REDACTED stated he saw the animal stiffen and tried to right itself as he was sticking the animal. There were no other attempts made to render the animal unconscious due to the backup HHCB device not being readily available. The animal bled out and became unconscious. I spoke with Dr. REDACTED NDSU Animal Science Supervisor, REDACTED plant supervisor, and REDACTED plant manager, about the observation of a beef animal regaining consciousness and that I would be issuing a noncompliance and contacting my supervisor for further guidance. I contacted my immediate supervisor, Dr. REDACTED and my Front-Line Supervisor, Dr. REDACTED and informed them of the situation. After being instructed by Dr. REDACTED a U.S. Reject tag number B-45 412624 was placed on the restrainer. The carcass head was examined, skinned, and the brain removed. The HHCB stun wound was between the eyes approximately mid-forehead. The research team that was present removed the skull cap to remove the brain. The stun bolt entered the anterior portion of the brain cavity but did not fully penetrate the brain.