Central Oregon Butcher Boys: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

HATS category VIII: Stunning Effectiveness on 9/04/2025 At approximately 0810 hours while performing online inspection for slaughter IPP observed the following noncompliance: While inspecting heads on the slaughter floor, IPP heard the firearm (.22 caliber rifle) discharge at the stun box and observed a steer was still moving back and forth in the stun box. IPP waited and observed for approximately 10-15 seconds before IPP heard a 2nd shot from the same firearm (.22 caliber rifle), the steer collapsed within the stun box. The steer was immediately released from the stun box after the 2nd stun, the steer was visibly unconscious, hung and bled out. While inspecting the head after the steer was hung, IPP observed and verbally confirmed with the stun operator that the first stun was not applied effectively, and the second stun was administered properly. This does not comply with 9CFR 313.16(a)(1) IPP alerted management and immediate supervisor of the incident and was instructed to take regulatory control actions (RCA) on the slaughter floor. A U.S. reject tag B23946121 was applied to the stun box, and slaughter ceased. The establishment owner was verbally notified of the forthcoming noncompliance record. At Approximately 0910 hours, the district management team was notified through supervisory channels. There have been no noncompliance records issued for the same root cause in the past 90 days. This establishment has not implemented a robust systematic approach to humane handling of livestock. At approx. 0915 IPP removed U.S. reject tag B23946121 and slaughter resumed.