Abbyland Foods, Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Abbyland Foods, Inc. slaughterhouse establishment in 2025.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2025.
313.15(a)(1)
On February 12th at approximately 12:00 while performing HATS category VIII (Stunning Effectiveness), I, SPHV REDACTED observed the following noncompliance: In the alley next to pen 2 a non-ambulatory Holstein dairy cow remained conscious after the first stunning attempt from the handheld captive bolt gun. The cow was bright, alert, responsive and her head and eye movements were controlled. Establishment personnel did not have a second captive bolt gun available but did immediately reload the gun with an available shell. The second stun attempt with the same handheld captive bolt gun rendered the cow unconscious. The first ineffective stun is noncompliance with 9CFR 313.15(a)(1). I immediately notified QC representative REDACTED of the noncompliance that we both had observed. A verbal regulatory control action was taken and stunning immediately stopped. The issue of not having the second handheld captive bolt gun loaded and ready for use was addressed by Dr. REDACTED as a vulnerability that could lead to noncompliance during the Weekly Meeting with Establishment on 5/23/24 and documented in the MOI in PHIS on 5/28/24. Previous corrective actions to stunning issues from an NR on 7/16/ 2024 stated that the establishment would have a second captive bolt gun immediately available. The establishments HH plan also states this.
313.15(a)(1),313.15(b)(1)(iii)
On November 26, 2024 at approximately 2:02 P.M. while performing HATS category VIII (Stunning Effectiveness), I, CSI REDACTED, observed the following noncompliance: In pen 1 of the establishment’s barn/cattle holding area, an ambulatory Holstein dairy cow remained conscious after the first stunning attempt from the handheld captive bolt gun. The cow remained standing and was bright, alert, responsive and her head and eye movements were controlled. Establishment personnel had a second handheld captive bolt gun in the vicinity loaded and ready for use. Establishment personnel handed the secondary handheld captive bolt gun to Barn Manager REDACTED. The second stun attempt with the secondary handheld captive bolt gun rendered the cow unconscious. The first ineffective stun is noncompliance with 9CFR 313.15(a)(1). The inability to limit or restrict the free movement of animals while stunning in pen 1 of the establishment’s barn/cattle holding area is noncompliance with 9CFR 313.15(b)(1)(iii). I immediately notified REDACTED, Barn Manager, of the noncompliance observed. This NR is being associated with the NR issued on July 16, 2024. The establishment management response to the July 16, 2024 NR was, “Put a halter on the animal and tie it off to the post. The animal will be behind a gate. Barn personnel will be retrained on the gun placement for greater accuracy in knocking. We will ensure that both guns are loaded and ready.” This response was documented by South QC Supervisor REDACTED. The second handheld captive bolt gun was loaded/ready for use and proved to be effective. The use of a halter/gate were not implemented. The establishment failed to follow its procedures written in response to the noncompliance issued on July 16, 2024. I applied US Suspect Tag No. M-285598 to the carcass of the affected cow. Post-mortem findings revealed two holes measuring approximately 3⁄4 inch in diameter. The first stun hole was 6 inches from the top of the poll and 3 inches right of the midline. The second stun hole was 4 inches from the top of the poll and 1⁄2 inch left of the midline. After measurements and observations were made, my U.S. Suspect tag was removed.
