Salem Halal Meat Packaging, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

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

The following noncompliance was observed while performing a routine Livestock Humane Handling verification task at Salem Halal on 07/01/2025. At approximately 0730 hours while performing a routine Livestock Humane Handling verification task, I (CSI - REDACTED) observed an adult black cow lying inside a large black dumpster. The animal was lying down on its sternum with its left side against the interior wall of the dumpster. A small, circular wound was present on the top of the head, with blood tracking down the center of the snout. Upon observation, the animal exhibited continued breathing, occasional directed nasal exhalation of blood, lift-righting and turning of the head, visual eye tracking movements, and at least three unsuccessful attempts to lift itself to a standing position. Based on behavioral signs, the animal was determined to be alive and conscious. U.S. Retained/Rejected tags were applied to both the dumpster (Tag, No. B41159933) and the knock box (Tag, No. B41159932), while establishment personnel were informed that all slaughter operations were to stop immediately. I requested that the establishment manager (Mr. REDACTED) meet me at the dumpster with a captive bolt without delay. Public Health Veterinary officials were notified of the situation. Upon arrival to the dumpster, Mr. REDACTED administered a second captive bolt shot to the back of the head. The animal lifted its head and emitted a loud and prolonged vocalization, continued breathing, righting its head and neck, further indicating retained consciousness. Mr. REDACTED was instructed to administer a third shot, which was executed upon the top of the skull. Following this, the animal exhibited no eye response to touch and breathing persisted unchanged. Within approximately three minutes, an establishment employee arrived to the dumpster with a knife for Mr. REDACTED to then cut the throat and euthanize the animal. The animal exhibited sudden neck movement away from the knife on contact, but the cut was successful in euthanizing the animal. When questioned, Mr. REDACTED confirmed the animal had been discovered non-ambulatory disabled during the "night time." He stated that one captive bolt shot had been administered to the top of the skull in the holding pen, prior to my 0630 hours arrival but "not night time." He said the animal was subsequently moved via an orange Kubota construction vehicle and relocated to the dumpster. Mr. REDACTED acknowledged that he did not assess the animal's state of consciousness following the dumping, stating, "I didn't check, I just went back inside." Establishment owner REDACTED has been notified verbally and through this non-compliance record that immediately after the stunning blow is delivered the animals shall be in a state of complete unconsciousness and remain in this condition. Disabled animals and other animals unable to move shall be separated from normal ambulatory animals and placed in a covered pen. This is a noncompliance with FSIS regulations 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) and 9 CFR 313.15(a)(3).