Shriver Meats: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

While performing a Livestock Humane Handling (HH) Verification task at Shriver Meats (M-10800), IPP observed the following non-compliance with HATS category VIII, Stunning Effectiveness: At approximately 1014 hours on 03/04/2025, establishment employees ran two Longhorn beef from the barn into the adjacent outside pen to prepare for stunning. Establishment manager, Mr. REDACTED, quickly initiated a shot with a large caliber rifle on the first Longhorn which successfully rendered the animal unconscious on the first attempt. He immediately reloaded and took the first stunning attempt on the second Longhorn beef which was moving swiftly in circles around the pen. This attempt dropped the animal to the ground, however signs of consciousness remained. The animal thrashed around attempting to right itself and exhibited tracking eye movement and rhythmic breathing. No vocalization was heard. Mr. REDACTED followed his RSA to HH procedure and quickly initiated a second shot as soon as a proper line of sight was achievable. The second attempt was effective at rendering the animal unconscious throughout shackling, hoisting, transport to the slaughter floor, rehoisting, and bleed out. When the second Longhorn’s head was removed and skinned, two holes were noted in the skull. The first was approximately 1.5” high and 1.5” left, near the base of the horn, while the second was approximately 0.75” high of ideal shot placement, but on midline. Taking more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.16 (a)(1) which states, “The firearms shall be employed in the delivery of a bullet or projectile into the animal in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animal by a single shot before it is shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animal shall be shot in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.”