Texas County Meat Processing, LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

On Tuesday Oct. 08, 2024 at approximately 1344 I, CSI REDACTED while performing a Humane Handling Task, witnessed the following Humane Handling non-compliance. As per Establishment Firearm Safety protocol the Slaughterhouse Manager led a cow into the kill box then shut the door to the kill room, IPP are positioned in the inedible room adjacent in adherence to firearm safety. I heard the first shot fired and went to the door but two more shots were fired before the manager opened the door for me to check for consciousness. I immediately questioned about the number of shots fired and he informed me, “Yes, it was three shots the cow moved its head.” I observed three holes in the skull, two were located near the top of the eye socket on the left, the third where the proper knock should be positioned. The establishment currently does not utilize any form of a head restraint. I informed the manager to cease slaughter pending guidance from the District Office. I took regulatory control action by placing a Reject tag on the kill box door (tag# B36503032). I immediately notified my Supervisor, I then notified Leaser REDACTED of the forth coming NR. At approximately 1426 the incident was deemed as a non-egregious stun failure. This deficiency demonstrated a failure of 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1) 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 will be shot in such a manner that will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort. After reviewing recent NRs, no similar incidents were found, therefore this NR will not be associated.