Sudlersville Frozen Meat Locker: 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 Sudlersville Frozen Meat Locker slaughterhouse establishment in 2025.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2025.
313.15(a)(1)
On 01/15/25, at approximately 8:50 am. I, Dr. REDACTED, observed the following noncompliance with the livestock humane handling HATS category VIII, for Stunning Effectiveness. A black cow entered the knock box and caught in the head-catch restraint. The establishment employee went to stun the cow with the 0.25 caliber captive bolt in the correct head location. The first two bullets didn't deploy due to the bolt not releasing, therefore not contacting the animal. The third shot with the captive bolt was the first shot to make contact with the animal but was also ineffective as the cow remained standing, eyes blinking and breathing. Immediately the establishment employee used the backup gun rifle .22 magnum and administrated the fourth shot in which it rendered the cow unconscious. Ms. REDACTED, Manager, was immediately notified of the noncompliance. I immediately tagged the knock box with tag #B-45145573. After the head was removed and skinned, it was noticed that there were 2 holes present in the skull, both in the desired location. One hole did not fully penetrate the skull, the other hole was 0.5inches below and did penetrate the skull. At approximately 9 am, the tag was removed and regulatory control relinquished after reviewed the incident with Dr. REDACTED. Ms. REDACTED, Manager, is being notified through this noncompliance record that taking more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), which states, 3The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.
313.15(a)(1)
On 10/22/24, at approximately 9:20 am, IPP observed the following noncompliance with the livestock humane handling HATS category VIII, for Stunning Effectiveness. The establishment employee administered a captive bolt shot to the forehead of a black heifer’s skull with a 0.25 caliber captive bolt gun. When attempting this knock, the first shot was ineffective as the heifer remained standing, eyes blinking and breathing. Immediately the establishment employee used the backup gun rifle .22 magnum and administrated the second shot in which it rendered the heifer unconscious. Mr. REDACTED, owner, was immediately notified of the noncompliance. IPP immediately informed the SPHV, Dr. REDACTED and tagged the knock box with tag #B-45145648. After the head was removed and skinned, it was noticed that there were 2 holes present in the skull. One hole was left of center by 1/2 inch, the second hole was directly center. At approximately 1055 am, the tag was removed, and regulatory control relinquished after Dr. REDACTED reviewed and approved the corrective action. Mr. REDACTED, owner, is being notified through this noncompliance record that taking more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), which states, The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort. This NR is similar to previous NR # YRB211101021N, documented on 10/21/24.
313.15(a)(1)
On 10/21/24, at approximately 8:55 am, while conducting the 60-day humane handling review with Dr. REDACTED, DVMS, I, Dr. REDACTED, observed the following noncompliance with the livestock humane handling HATS category VIII, for Stunning Effectiveness. The establishment employee administered a captive bolt shot to the forehead of a black heifer’s skull with a 0.25 caliber captive bolt gun. When attempting this knock, the first shot was ineffective as the heifer remained standing, eyes blinking and breathing. Immediately the establishment employee reloaded the gun and administrated the second shot in which it rendered the heifer unconscious. Mr. REDACTED, owner, was immediately notified of the noncompliance. After the head was removed and skinned, it was noticed that there were 2 holes present in the skull. One hole was left of center by 1 inch, the second hole was directly center. Mr. REDACTED, owner, is being notified through this noncompliance record that taking more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), which states, “The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.”
313.15(a)(1)
On 10/01/24, at approximately 7:45 am, while observing the livestock humane handling HATS category VII “stunning effectiveness” I, Dr. REDACTED observed the following non- compliance. A new training establishment employee administered a captive bolt shot to the forehead of a gray Charolais steer’s skull with a 0.25 caliber captive bolt gun. When attempting this knock, the steer was nervous, excited and kept moving his head; therefore, the first shot was ineffective as the steer remained standing, eyes blinking and breathing. Immediately the establishment employee reloaded the gun and administrated the second shot in which it rendered the steer unconscious. Slaughter operations were immediately stopped, and the knock box tagged with U.S. Retain tag # B-45145650. Mr. REDACTED owner, was immediately notified of the regulatory control action. After the head was removed and skinned, it was noticed that there were 2 holes present in the skull. One hole was below right of center by 1 inch, the second hole was directly left of center by less than 1⁄2 inch. Mr. REDACTED owner, is being notified through this noncompliance record that taking more than one stunning attempt to achieve unconsciousness represents a noncompliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), which states “The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.”
