Seven Hills Abattoir: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.1,313.15(a)(1)

At approximately 3:19pm on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 while performing the review and observation component of a routine Livestock Humane Handling task and verifying HATS category XIII (stunning effectiveness) SPHV REDACTED, DVM observed the following noncompliance: A young steer was moved into the knock box and restrained with a head catch. An employee-in-training for stunning, under the supervision of the primary stunning employee, attempted to stun the beef with a .25 caliber HHCB. After delivery of the stun the animal remained standing and alert without vocalization. The primary stunning employee instructed the employee-in-training to administer a second stun with a pre-loaded readily available 12-gauge shotgun. The employee-in-training did so immediately after allowing inspection personnel to move to a safe area. The second stun was effective, and the animal remained unconscious throughout shackling, hoisting, and bleeding. Upon notification of safe return to the knocking area, SPHV REDACTED noted that the bolt in the HHCB was only extended approximately 1.5 inches. At approximately 3:30pm, while verifying HATS category III (water and feed availability) for 4 beef remaining for tomorrow's slaughter, the following noncompliance was noted involving HATS category IV (handling during antemortem inspection): The first incline in the alleyway to the knock box has sides comprised of cinderblock on one side and plywood on the other side. The plywood had become detached from the concrete flooring leaving a gap approximately 6 inches wide and 18 inches long. Most of the gap had filled with sawdust/mulch, but one area was deep enough that a beef could potentially lodge its foot in the crack causing injury. There was no evidence that any beef had become injured by the gap. Mr. REDACTED, Slaughter Floor Supervisor, was notified verbally of this noncompliance and Mr. REDACTED, Establishment Administrator, and Mr. REDACTED, President/GM were notified in writing with the issuance of this noncompliance record.

313.1

On Monday, April 28th 2025, at approximately 2:15pm, during the Federal 5720 review, EIAO REDACTED, Regional Supervisor REDACTED and IPP REDACTED observed the following noncompliance involving HATS category IV, Handling During Anti-mortem Inspection: While observing the alley and holding pens, in pen 10, a portion of the inside bottom pipe on the first gate had rusted through on one side. There was approximately 1”X12” missing area on the side of the pipe causing a sharp edge that could possibly cut animals tongue or nose. In pen 9, on the vertical pipe at the second gate, about 18” from the ground, there was a weld bead, approximately the size of a pencil lead that was pointed. In pen 1a, the entry gate had a rough edge.In pen 2, the pipe partition that separates pen 1b and pen 2 has multiple cylindrical sharp metal pieces, measuring 1⁄4’ in diameter X 1” long, lying parallel with the pipe. These are pieces from a wire panel that was welded to the partition, and recently removed, leaving the weld and small piece of wire creating sharp objects. No tags were placed. There were no animals present during the visit and no evidence of animal contact (hair) on the sharp objects.Plant Owner REDACTED was verbally notified of the non-compliance. This is non-compliant with 9 CFR 313.1