Sinton and Sons Local Meats and Provisions: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

At approximately 0903 on 04/30/2024, while observing the stun of a heifer, PHV Dr. REDACTED and CSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance while performing a Humane Handling Task and verifying HATS Category VIII, stunning for Est. 40268A, J&R Harvest Unit: While the heifer was in the knock box and head restraint, the establishment employee, Mr. REDACTED attempted to stun the heifer with a captive bolt. During the first stun attempt, the heifer quickly moved its head at the last moment and the captive bolt moved off center when penetrating the head. She remained standing, immediately vocalized, had a blink response, and kicked her legs in attempt to pull back from the head restrainer. Establishment employee, Ms. REDACTED immediately attempted to utilize the backup captive bolt stunner, but when she placed it on the heifer’s head, it did not fire. Ms. REDACTED quickly reloaded the backup stunner and rendered the animal unconscious in approximately 31 seconds from the initial stunning attempt. In observation of the heifer’s skull after skinning, IPP observed two holes in the skull. One hole was noted in the upper right area of the skull with complete penetration, while a second hole was noted in the center of the skull. Dr. REDACTED immediately contacted acting Front Line Supervisor Dr. REDACTED and DVMS, Dr. REDACTED IPP placed USDA reject tag no. B-45 736499 on the knock box until an acceptable corrective action is proffered. There were two previous Humane Handling non-compliances on 2/22/2024 (JNE2222024422N) and 3/4/2024 (JNE3915033004N) due to ineffective stunning. At around 1300 corrective actions had been submitted by REDACTED and accepted by acting Front Line Supervisor Dr. REDACTED The reject tag was then removed by REDACTED

313.15(a)(1)

On 3/4/2024 at approximately 1102 hours, Dr. REDACTED FLS, and Dr. REDACTED SPHV, observed the following while performing a Humane Handling Task and verifying HATS Category VIII, stunning for Est. 40268A, REDACTED (MHU): Dr. REDACTED and Dr. REDACTED observed MHU Employee, Ms. REDACTED lean adjacent to the heifer in the knock box, who was in a head restraint and proceeded to attempt to stun the heifer. As Ms. REDACTED attempted to stun the heifer, the silver-colored captive bolt made a muffled sound when in contact with the center of the heifer’s head. The heifer’s head went down and as Mr. REDACTED MHU employee, attempted to perform a safety stun for training, the black-colored captive bolt device did not release when he pulled the trigger. While he applied the device, the heifer lifted its head and began a low bellow with eye tracking. Ms. REDACTED reloaded the previously used captive bolt and administered a secondary stun approximately 20 seconds, which rendered the heifer unconsciousness. In observation of the heifer’s skull after skinning, IPP observed that there were two holes in the skull. One hole which was noted in the center of the skull at a slight angle which had complete penetration through the skull, but not completely through the brain tissue and the second hole which was noted slightly adjacent the first hole in center of the skull above the eyes. The second hole appeared to have complete penetration through the skull and brain tissue. A USDA Reject Tag (#B-45736500) was placed on the knock box. Dr. REDACTED called Dr. REDACTED DDM, and Dr. REDACTED DVMS, to discuss the concerns. There was one Livestock Humane Handling noncompliance (JNE2222024422N) on 2/22/2024 secondary to an ineffective stun.

313.15(a)(1)

On 2/22/2024 at approximately 1313 hours, Consumer Safety Inspector, REDACTED and Dr. REDACTED SPHV observed the following while performing a Humane Handling Task and verifying HATS Category VIII, stunning for Est. 40268A, REDACTED CSI REDACTED and Dr. REDACTED observed the Harvest Unit Employee, Mr. REDACTED lean adjacent to the heifer in the knock box, who was in a head restraint and proceeded to attempt to stun the heifer. As Mr. REDACTED attempted to stun the heifer, he placed the captive bolt stunner slightly lower and to the left of the temporal region. As he released the trigger, Mr. REDACTED slightly moved the captive bolt away from the head of the heifer causing the rod to eject only halfway from the captive bolt gun. The heifer remained standing, vocalizing, and had right sided epistaxis. Harvest Unit Supervisor, Ms. REDACTED immediately obtained the backup loaded captive bolt and executed a secondary stun in approximately 7 seconds. The secondary stun with the captive bolt successfully rendered the heifer unconscious. A USDA Reject tag was not placed on the knock box due to the establishment completed with the scheduled slaughter animals. IPP then notified Establishment Owner, Mr. REDACTED of the concerns. IPP immediately called acting FLS, Dr. REDACTED to discuss the concerns. In observation of the heifer’s skull after skinning, IPP observed that there were two holes in the skull. One hole which was noted in the lower left temporal region of the skull which had complete penetration through the skull and the second hole which was noted in the center of the skull above the eyes. After observing the skull, IPP immediately called acting FLS, Dr. REDACTED to discuss the concerns. Due to the establishment removing themselves from voluntary suspension since December 2022, there have been no recent humane handling non-compliances.