Lemay and Sons Beef, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.2

HATS Category III - Water and Feed Availability per 9 CFR 313.2(e) On Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at approximately 11:55 A.M. while I was performing antemortem inspection of livestock in holding pens at Lemay and Sons Beef, Est. 9542, I noticed the following noncompliance in holding pen number 2. There was no container for water in the pen, which held two bovines. It appeared that the container, which was empty, had been moved from the pen into the alleyway outside the pen, out of reach of the cattle I immediately notified the lead slaughter foreman, REDACTED, who immediately dispatched a worker to provide water for the animals in pen 2. The establishment thereby restored conditions for humane handling of livestock. This shall serve as official notice of noncompliance. Per 9 CFR 313.2(e), “Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens”. A review of PHIS indicated there were no similar NR's in the past 90 days Repeated noncompliance may result in additional regulatory actions.

313.2

HATS Category III - Water and Feed Availability On Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at approximately 11:55 A.M. while I was performing antemortem inspection of livestock in holding pens at Lemay and Sons Beef, Est. 9542, I noticed the following noncompliance in holding pen number 2. There was no container for water in the pen, which held two bovines. It appeared that the container, which was empty, had been moved from the pen into the alleyway outside the pen, out of reach of the cattle I immediately notified the lead slaughter foreman, REDACTED, who immediately dispatched a worker to provide water for the animals in pen 2. The establishment thereby restored conditions for humane handling of livestock. This shall serve as official notice of noncompliance. Per 9 CFR 313.2(e), “Animals shall have access to water in all holding pens”. A review of PHIS indicated there were no similar NRs in the past 90 days Repeated noncompliance may result in additional regulatory actions.

313.15(a)(1),313.15(a)(3)

HATS Category VIII – Stunning Effectiveness On February 6th, 2025, at approximately 1330, while I was observing operations on the slaughterhouse floor, I witnessed the following noncompliance in the slaughterhouse. While I was observing the slaughterhouse, I Noticed slaughterhouse supervisor REDACTED head out to the kill area in the room adjacent to the slaughterhouse to begin stunning lambs. After a moment I heard what appeared to be the captive bolt go off. Momentarily after I saw REDACTED come back into the slaughterhouse, he than proceeded back to the kill area. I took notice of this and followed the establishment employee out into the kill area. Upon entering the kill area, I noticed the lamb standing up right showing signs of being fully conscious. Including eye movement, breathing and moving about the kill box. I immediately told slaughterhouse supervisor REDACTED he needs to make another attempt to render the lamb unconscious. With the assistance from other slaughterhouse employees REDACTED hoisted the lamb up, he then proceeded to cut the lamb’s throat, severing the jugular and carotid artery rendering it unconscious approximately 1333. Upon further inspection of the skull, it appears the captive bolt partially penetrated the skull. I immediately tagged the box with a us rejected tag (NO.B-45 454510). I notified REDACTED to halt stunning until I could collaborate with my supervisor for further instructions on how to proceed. Following my conversation with my supervisor, I notified slaughterhouse supervisor REDACTED and Owner REDACTED that killing has been halted for the remainder of the day and that a noncompliance record would be issued. This shall serve as official notice of noncompliance. Per 9 CFR 313.15(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. Also, per 9 CFR 313.15(a)3 Immediately after the stunning blow is delivered the animals shall be in a state of complete unconsciousness and remain in this condition throughout shackling, sticking and bleeding.