Los Banos Abattoir Co., Inc.: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

HATS VIII: Ineffective Stunning On April 9th, 2025, while performing post-mortem inspection, I, CSI REDACTED, observed the following Humane Handling noncompliance: At approximately 0854 hours, I heard the discharge of a captive bolt gun. The cow in the knock box, directly within my line of sight, remained standing. Through the gap between the top of the discharge gate and the adjacent wall, I observed the cow’s head. Additionally, through the gap between the bottom of the discharge gate and the floor, I saw all four of its legs bearing weight, indicating the animal was still alive and standing. Approximately 35 seconds later, I observed the cow fall, rendered unconscious. I did not hear a second discharge. I immediately requested that an establishment employee contact Quality Control Supervisor Mrs. REDACTED. I continued performing post-mortem inspection duties. I inspected the head of the mistuned animal and observed two different knock holes. At approximately 0858 hours, I applied U.S. Reject Tag #673401 to the knock box to halt all further stunning. At approximately 0900 hours, I informed Mrs. REDACTED of the ineffective stun and the forthcoming noncompliance. At approximately 0910 hours, the IIC, SPHV Dr. REDACTED, inspected the head of the cow and observed two knock holes. Hole #1 was located slightly off-center between the eyes. Hole #2 was located approximately 7 cm caudal to the first. Dr. REDACTED tracked both knock holes using a metal probe and determined that Hole #1 only penetrated 1 inch and did not reach the brain and that Hole #2 cleanly penetrated into the brain. Per 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), stunning devices must be applied in a manner that causes immediate unconsciousness. At approximately 0950 hours, I removed the U.S. Reject tag after the establishment provided acceptable corrective actions.

313.15(a)(1)

HATS VIII: Ineffective Stunning On March 31st, 2025, while performing post-mortem inspection, I, CSI REDACTED, observed the following Humane Handling noncompliance: At approximately 1100 hours, I heard a captive bolt gun discharge. The cow in the knock box, directly in my line of sight, remained standing. I immediately approached the knock box. Through the gap between the top of the discharge gate and the adjacent wall, I observed the cow’s head. Additionally, through the gap between the bottom of the discharge gate and the floor, I saw all four of its legs bearing weight, indicating the animal was still alive and standing. Approximately 20 seconds later, I heard a second discharge, which rendered the cow unconscious. I immediately notified Slaughter Supervisor Mr. REDACTED of my findings and requested he contact Quality Control Supervisor Mrs. REDACTED. I continued to perform post-mortem inspection duties. I then inspected the head of the mistuned animal, Back tag 93DK-1052, and observed two different bullet holes. At approximately 1110 hours, I informed Mrs. REDACTED of the ineffective stun and the forthcoming noncompliance. I then applied U.S. Reject Tag #673400 to the knock box to halt all further stunning. At approximately 1115 hours, SPHV Dr. REDACTED inspected the cow and observed two gunshot wounds to the head, approximately 1 cm apart. Per 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), stunning devices must be applied in a manner that causes immediate unconsciousness. At approximately 1120 hours, the establishment provided acceptable corrective actions, and SPHV Dr. REDACTED removed the U.S. Reject tag at 1123 hours.

313.16(a)(1)

HATS VIII: Ineffective Stunning On October 16th, 2024, while observing a side-door entrance knocking, I, CSI REDACTED, observed the following Humane Handling noncompliance: At approximately 1542 hours, I observed an establishment employee, responsible for side-door entrance knocking, shoot an unrestrained Longhorn cow with back tag 93DHO-003 in the middle of the suspect pen. After the first shot, the cow partially fell to the ground but quickly regained its footing and began walking in the suspect pen. About 30 seconds later, the employee moved the animal into the chute inside the suspect pen and quickly administered a second shot, which rendered the cow unconscious. U.S. Reject Tag# 673366 was then applied to the knock box to halt all further stunning. I notified Quality Control Supervisor Mrs. REDACTED of the ineffective stun. At approximately 1600 hours, SPHV Dr. REDACTED inspected the cow and observed two gunshot wounds to the head. She informed Mrs. REDACTED of the forthcoming noncompliance. Stunning devices must be applied to render immediate unconsciousness, as required by 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1). At approximately 1618 hours, the establishment provided acceptable corrective actions, and the knock box was released.