FBS Hudson: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII – Stunning Effectiveness On 01/07/2024, at approximately 1135 hours, FSIS IPP observed the following Humane Handling HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness noncompliance in the stun box at EST#M47172: A steer was brought into the stun box by establishment employees and was restrained in the head catch. The stun operator applied the first stun attempt with a hand-held captive bolt device, but the stun was ineffective and did not render the animal unconscious. FSIS IPP observed the head of the animal did not drop while the animal was still standing, and the head was moving side to side in a controlled manner. The stun operator immediately administered a second stun with the readily available .22 caliber rifle. After the second stun attempt FSIS IPP saw the head and body drop to the ground which effectively rendered the animal unconscious. FSIS IPP took a regulatory control action and applied U.S. Rejected Tag #46102195 to the stun box. The Denver District Management Team was notified through supervisory channels. Upon inspection of the dressed head, two penetrating holes were observed. This finding is noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1). There has been no issued noncompliance records of the same cause within the past 90 days. This establishment operates under a robust systematic approach to the humane handling of livestock. An establishment employee was verbally informed of the noncompliance and Plant Management was informed in writing with the issuance of this noncompliance record.