Northwoods Locker LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)
See the detail of the non-compliance of humane livestock handling that the USDA observed at the Northwoods Locker LLC slaughterhouse establishment in 2025.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2025.
313.16(a)(1),313.16(b)(1)(iii)
On March 7, 2025, at approximately 0805 hours, IPP observed the following noncompliance while performing HATS Category VIII Stunning Effectiveness Task. A fractious beef cow entered the stunning restrainer but was not placed into the head restrainer. IPP moved out of the stunning room. An establishment employee fired a shot with a .22 magnum rifle with full metal jacket. We entered the room, and the animal was still standing, conscious, and there was no vocalization. IPP left the room quickly since the employee was ready to fire another stunning attempt. The employee fired a second stun with the same .22 magnum rifle. We re-entered the room and the animal was still standing, conscious, breathing and no vocalization. IPP left the room again. The employee fired a third stun with the same rifle and the animal went down and was unconscious. Blood was observed to be coming from the nose. IPP notified Mr. REDACTED, Owner, of the egregious nature of the stunning. The DO was notified of the situation. US Reject tag No. B42126299 was placed on the stunning restrainer. Mr. REDACTED provided corrective actions. On post-mortem examination of the skinned head, two holes were found in the skull. One hole was at the location at the base of the “V” of the frontal bone. The second hole was approximately two inches above and slightly to the right of the first hole. The skull was split and the first hole described did penetrate the skull and entered the brain. The second hole described tracked to the top of the poll. IPP were unable to find a third hole in the skull, but the right eye appeared to have a fresh bruise in the fat above the eyeball. This is noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1) and 313.16(b)(1)(iii). Mr. REDACTED was notified of the issuance of a noncompliance.
313.16(a)(1)
On November 8, 2024, at approximately 1000 hours, I, SPHV REDACTED was performing Humane Handling Category VIII (Stunning Effectiveness) and observed the following noncompliance. An establishment employee was using a .22 magnum with a full metal jacket bullet to stun a heritage breed sow. I stepped outside. One shot was fired, and I heard a squeal, then a second shot with another squeal, and then the third shot with another squeal. I stepped inside and noticed the sow was still standing and conscious. The establishment employee grabbed the electrical stunner and proceeded to perform a head and heart stun of the sow rendering it unconscious. I informed Mr. REDACTED, Owner, that a regulatory control action would be taken and I would be contacting the district office for further direction. This was the last animal of the day to be slaughtered. During post-mortem inspection, I inspected the skinned-out head. One of the holes was about 1.5 inches above the right eye with a second hole 1.5 inches from the first hole toward the midline of the skull. The employee stated that one of the shots was from behind the ear. There was fragments of bone and a hole above the occipital bone. This is a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.16 (a)(1).
