Three Lakes Ranch: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

At approximately 0835 AM on September 5th, 2025 IPP observed the following humane handling noncompliance at Three Lakes Ranch Establishment #47333. Plant personnel brought the steer into the knock box. The steer was secured in a head catch. A rifle was used. The employee proceeded to knock the steer with the rifle. The steer was not rendered unconscious, continued to stand and vocalize, and started to bleed from the nose. The employee took immediate corrective action by delivering a second shot to the steer’s head with the same rifle rendering it unconscious. The employee administered a third security shot to steer’s head. This noncompliance violates 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1). Plant management was notified verbally and in writing of this non-compliance. On postmortem examination it was confirmed that there were three points of entry into the steer’s head. At approximately 1010 AM on September 5th, 2025 IPP observed the following humane handling noncompliance at Three Lakes Ranch Establishment #47333. Plant personnel brought the steer into the knock box. The steer was secured in a head catch. A rifle was used. The employee proceeded to knock the steer with the rifle. The steer was not rendered unconscious, continued to stand and vocalize, and started to bleed from the nose. The employee took immediate corrective action by delivering a second shot to the steer’s head with the same rifle rendering it unconscious. This noncompliance violates 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1). Plant management was notified verbally and in writing of this non-compliance. On postmortem examination it was confirmed that there were two points of entry into the steer’s head. At approximately 1055 AM on September 5th, 2025 IPP observed the following humane handling noncompliance at Three Lakes Ranch Establishment #47333. Plant personnel brought the cow into the knock box. The cow was secured in a head catch. A rifle was used. The employee proceeded to knock the cow with the rifle. The cow was not rendered unconscious, had purposeful eye movement, had rhythmic breathing, and started to bleed from the nose. The employee delivered a second shot to the cow’s head with the same rifle and failed to render her unconscious (continued to have purposeful eye movement and rhythmic breathing). The employee delivered a third shot to the cow’s head with the same rifle and failed to render her unconscious (continued to have purposeful eye movement and rhythmic breathing). The employee delivered a fourth shot to the cow’s head with the same rifle and rendered her unconscious. This noncompliance violates 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1). Plant management was notified verbally and in writing of this non-compliance. On postmortem examination it was confirmed that there were four points of entry into the steer’s head

313.16(a)(1)

At approximately 0710 hours on April 11, 2025 IPP observed the following humane handling noncompliance at Three Lakes Ranch Establishment #47333. Plant personnel brought the goat into the knock box. A rifle was used. The employee knocked the goat with the rifle. The goat was not rendered unconscious, continued to stand and vocalize, and started to bleed from the nose. The employee delivered a second shot to the goat’s head with the same rifle but failed to render it unconscious. The employee provided immediate corrective actions and administered a third shot to goat’s head and successfully rendered it unconscious. This noncompliance violates 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1). Plant management was notified verbally and in writing of this non-compliance. On postmortem examination it was confirmed that there were three points of entry into the goat’s head.