Sudlersville Frozen Meat Locker: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2024 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

On Thursday, August 22, 2024, at approximately 0920 hours, while verifying HATS Category VIII, Humane Handling Stunning Effectiveness, IPP observed the following noncompliance: The establishments slaughter floor employee placed a large sow into the knock-box and proceeded to administer a shot using a 22-magnum rifle. Upon firing, the sow remained standing, and the employee immediately followed up with a second shot with the 22-magnum which still did not render the sow unconscious as it remained standing and bleeding from the head. The employee then left the slaughter floor and retrieved a 20-gauge slug shotgun from the management office located at the front of the building. The employee fired the shotgun, and the sow went down and was rendered unconscious. Upon inspection of the head, a large hole measuring approximately 2 inches in diameter was observed in the center of the head. The establishments knock-box was immediately tagged by IPP, with US. Retain Tag NO. B-45309043. Mr. REDACTED Establishment Owner, was immediately notified of the noncompliance and was informed that acceptable corrective actions would be needed before slaughter could continue. This establishment does have a robust systematic approach to humane handling in place. The establishment is being notified through this noncompliance report, that more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents noncompliance with regulation 9 CFR § 313.16 Mechanical; gunshot: (a) Utilization of firearms, required effect; handling. (1) The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be shot in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.

313.15(a)(1)

On Monday, July 08, 2024, at approximately 0949 hours, while verifying HATS Category VIII, Humane Handling Stunning Effectiveness, IPP observed the following noncompliance: The establishments slaughter floor employee placed a steer into the knock-box and head restraint and proceeded to administer a shot using the captive bolt. Upon firing, the steer remained standing shaking its head and the employee immediately followed up with a second captive bolt shot which was still not effective. The employee administered an immediate 3rd shot with the captive bolt and the steer went down with no signs of consciousness. Upon inspection of the head, it was observed that one shot was approximately 1 inch to the right of the left eye. Another shot was two inches from the right of center and a third shot was observed directly center. The establishments knock-box was tagged by IPP, with US. Retain Tag NO. B-45145749. Mr. REDACTED Slaughter Floor Supervisor and Mr. REDACTED Establishment Owner, were immediately notified of the noncompliance and offered verbal corrective action stating, “more time needs to be taken to assure the animal has been properly restrained and to allow the animal to calm before firing a shot”. At approximately 1000 hours, after acceptable corrective actions were given, IPP removed U.S. Retain Tag NO. B-45145749. This establishment does have a robust systematic approach to humane handling in place. The establishment is being notified through this noncompliance report, that more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents noncompliance with regulation 9 CFR 313.15, Mechanical: Captive Bolt. (a) application of stunners required effect, handling. (1) The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.

313.2

On June 5,2024 at approximately 0740 hours. While performing verification activities for the Livestock Humane Handling HATS category 3 water and feed availability, I, Dr. REDACTED observed the following: There was no water available in the blue bucket for one beef in Pen#2. I immediately notified Mr. REDACTED, the plant owner of this noncompliance and the establishment employee immediately corrected the situation by adding fresh water. This is a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.2(E) which state that: Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens and, if held longer than 24 hours, access to feed. There shall be sufficient room in the holding pen for animals held overnight to lie down.

313.16(a)(1)

On Thursday, March 07, 2024, at approximately 0805 hours while verifying HATS Category VIII, Humane Handling Stunning Effectiveness, IPP observed the following noncompliance: The establishments slaughter floor employee placed a large sow into the establishments knock-box and proceeded to administer a shot with a .22 long rifle. The sow remained standing with no vocalization and the slaughter floor employee immediately followed up with a second shot with the .22 long rifle that rendered the sow unconscious. Upon inspection of the head, it was observed that one shot was approximately 1⁄2 inch from center and a 2nd shot was placed directly center. The establishments knock-box was tagged by IPP, with US. Retain Tag NO. B-45309336. Mr. REDACTED, Establishment Owner, was immediately notified of the noncompliance and immediately offered verbal corrective action stating, “he did not believe the .22 was powerful enough because of the large size of the sow and in future, all large sows will be stunned using their 20-gauge rifle”. This establishment does have a robust systematic approach to humane handling in place. The establishment is being notified through this noncompliance report, that more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with regulation 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1) “(a) Utilization of firearms, required effect; handling. (1) The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be shot in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.”

313.16(a)(1)

On 12/4/23 at approximately12:50 PM while performing a Humane Handling Verification Task at Sudlersville Frozen Meat Locker I, CSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance with HATS Category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness. Establishment employee had a young steer Standing in the knock box. Mr. REDACTED proceeded to take aim using the establishments .22 magnum. When attempting this knock, there was the sound of a release, but the animal remained standing and had a mouth bleeding. The establishment employee immediately prepared his follow up shot and rendered the steer unconscious. The animal was rolled out onto the kill floor and exhibited no signs of consciousness. The animal was then hoisted, stuck, and bled out. More than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with regulation 9CFR 313.16(a)(1), which states: "The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal with a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort." Mr. REDACTED (supervisor) and Mr. REDACTED were verbally notified of the noncompliance at approximately 12:55 pm. The establishment does have a robust systematic approach to humane handling in place.