Heartquist Hollow Farm, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

On May 7, 2025, at approximately 0918, while observing HATS CATEGORY VIII: Stunning Effectiveness, I, CSI REDACTED, observed the following noncompliance: I was standing approximately 20 yards from the stunning chute at the Southeast corner of the establishment’s outer wall as the establishment was in operation and slaughtering cattle. A steer was standing inside the stunning chute, and the steer was able to freely move around within the stunning chute without additional restraint. I observed establishment owner REDACTED use a .223 caliber rifle to administer a gunshot to the steer’s head, resulting in an ineffective stun. The steer remained standing, was flailing its head, and no vocalization was heard. Mr. REDACTED was ready with the rifle to administer a second gunshot; however, the steer was continuously moving its head, which prevented Mr. REDACTED from instantly applying a second stun to the animal. After approximately 20-30 seconds, Mr. REDACTED administered a second gunshot and rendered the steer unconscious. Mr. REDACTED apologized for the incident. No regulatory control action was taken. I notified Mr. REDACTED at 1250 hours that the occurrence would be documented as a noncompliance record because the establishment failed to render the animal immediately unconscious with the first application of the firearm, which failed to meet the regulatory requirements of 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1).