Seven Oaks Meat Processing: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.15 (b)(1)(i),313.16(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness On 06/27/24, at approximately 0823 hours (according to my cell phone), I, CSI REDACTED was conducting a Humane Handling task outside waiting for plant employee to stun the animal. Plant employee entered the Evisceration floor alone with a gun and handheld captive bolt to stun a Beef animal in the knock box without the use of head restraint on the animal. After the gunshot I did not hear a secondary shot by handheld captive bolt device. I opened door to the Eviscerating floor and observed the Beef was standing in the knock box with head movement, bleeding from the nose, and eyes were tracking movement. At approximately 0824 hours (according to my cell phone), plant employee used the handheld captive bolt device for the second attempt with the device malfunctioning. I stepped out of Evisceration room; the same plant employee reloaded the gun for a third attempt and the Beef animal was unconscious at approximately 0826 hours (according to my cell phone). I applied U. S. Reject tag #B31939155 on knock box. I called my supervisor FLS Dr. REDACTED, and Dallas District office will be notified as well. The establishment failed to comply with regulatory requirements 9 CFR 313.16 (a) (1)and 313.15 (b) (1) (i). I notified Eviscerating Supervisor and Owner REDACTED that a non-compliance record will be issued. In review of previous 90 days of non-compliance records, this Humane Handling NR is associated with NR QKR5710053928N/1 issued 05/28/24.

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

HATS Category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness On 05/28/23, at approximately 0909 hours (according to my cell phone), I, CSI REDACTED was conducting a Humane Handling task in the evisceration floor and observed a plant employee using a handheld captive bolt device to stun a Lamb in the knock box. The Lamb went down on its knees and head went limp. I observed at approximately 0912 hours (according to my cell phone), the Lamb was standing in the knock box. A plant employee reloaded the primary stunning device (handheld captive bolt device) is used for a second stun, rendering the animal unconscious. The establishment does not have a secondary back-up stunning device. I applied U. S. Reject tag #B31939112 on knock box. I called my supervisor FLS Dr. REDACTED, and Dallas District office will be notified as well. The establishment failed to comply with regulatory requirements 9 CFR 313.15 (a) (1), and 313.15 (a) (3). I notified Eviscerating Supervisor and Owner REDACTED that a non-compliance record will be issued. In review of previous 90 days of non-compliance records, no association was found.

313.16(a)(1)

At approximately 0850 hours, while watching for the first knock of the day, Plant Manager, REDACTED used a .22 Magnum pistol to attempt to knock a large sow in the pen area, as this animal would not move, and the employees were unable to physically move her into the normal knock area that does have a squeeze area in it. After shooting her in the head, the sow continued to stand and vocalize. After approximately 40 seconds Mr. REDACTED was able to relocate himself to a position where he could deliver another shot. After this shot the sow did go down. Another security knock with a captive bolt was also delivered. Mr. REDACTED, owner, was present for this incident. I halted any further knocking at that point. I advised him that I must call my supervisor, FLS, Dr. REDACTED and that this would result in a noncompliance. The matter was discussed, and the plant was permitted to continue slaughter. Mr. REDACTED has increased the caliber of a rifle for the remaining hogs of the day, as they are all of similar size. Approximately 500#. Although this incident does not appear to be egregious, gauging the size of an animal to the caliber of gun or pressure of the captive bolt needs to be accurately determined to avoid further incidences and possible delay in further slaughter. This was discussed at length. The plant has failed to meet 9 CFR 313.16.(a)(1). No similar noncompliance can be associated within the last 90 days.