Pelkins Smokey Meat Market: 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 Pelkins Smokey Meat Market slaughterhouse establishment in 2025.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2025.
313.15(a)(1)
On October 31, 2024, at approximately 6:55 am while performing HATS Category VIII - Stunning Effectiveness, I, CSI REDACTED observed the following noncompliance. HACCP Coordinator REDACTED attempted to stun a large steer. The animal was fidgety and very vocal. The steer became silent after the stun, but the eyes were still moving, his tongue was not out, and he groaned. The hand-held captive bolt device (HHCB) got stuck in the skull and Mr. REDACTED was not able to remove the device to reload and stun a second time. I asked if he had a backup device. He immediately retrieved the device and promptly applied a second stun. The second stun was successful and rendered the steer unconscious. Mr. REDACTED then administered a security stun. I took regulatory control action by stopping the stunning of any further cattle. I asked for the skull to be cut open near the stunning area of the skull. I observed that all 3 stuns had successfully hit the brain. The first stun, which was unsuccessful, had penetrated the skull, passed through the right side of the brain cavity hitting the brain, and stuck into the underside of the cavity. I conferred with Frontline Supervisor Dr. REDACTED about the incident, and when Mr. REDACTED provided acceptable preventive measures, I relinquished regulatory control. HACCP Coordinator REDACTED and Owner REDACTED were notified of the forthcoming noncompliance with regulations 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1).
