Towson Cold Storage: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.16(a)(1)

At approximately 1330 hours on September 26th, 2025 IPP observed the following humane handling noncompliance at Towson Cold Storage #18731. Plant personnel brought the steer into the knock box. The steer was secured in a head catch. An AK-47 rifle was used. The employee proceeded to knock the steer with the rifle. The steer was not rendered unconscious, continued to stand and bled from the nose. The employee delivered a second shot to the steer’s head with the same rifle and failed to render unconscious (continued to stand and bled from nose). The employee delivered a third shot to the steer’s head with the same rifle and failed to render it unconscious (continued to stand and bled from nose). The employee delivered a fourth shot to the steer’s head with the same rifle and failed to render it unconscious. The employee delivered a fifth shot with a Glock 19 chambered in a 9MM and successfully rendered the steer 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 five points of entry into the steer’s head.

313.16(a)(1)

At 12:15 pm while watching the swine slaughter IPP observed the following Non-compliance. While slaughtering the last of four pigs, establishment personnel (using an AK-47 chambered in 7.62) took the first of three shots to attempt to stun the animal. This shot did not render the animal unconscious, so establishment personnel took immediate corrective actions and followed up by taking a second shot. This shot did not take the animal down either and was immediately followed by a third shot which rendered the animal unconscious. Establishment then stuck the animal allowing it to bleed out. IPP did place a tag on the knock box (NO. B37 577640) following the incident. During postmortem inspection IPP witnessed three bullet holes in the head of the animal. This is a failure of 9 CFR 313.16(A)(1). No product was affected.

313.1

Today on November 6th, 2024 at approximately 11:45 AM IPP conducted a Livestock Humane Handling Task and observed the following violation. While walking around the livestock holding pens IPP noticed that there were four cows in a single pen with no water. This is a non-compliance because all animals that are being held for slaughter must have feed and water readily available. Due to this requirement not being met IPP is documenting this finding. These observations are in violation of 9 CFR 313.1: Livestock pens, driveways and ramps. IIC notified establishment management of my findings in verbal form. When IPP notified establishment management of the finding immediate corrective action was taken to water the cattle, as well as reinspect their pens to ensure regulations were met. No tags were applied, and no product was affected.

313.15(a)(1),313.15(a)(2)

On Friday November 1st, 2024, at approximately 1114 hours during routine slaughter of cattle, IPP observed the following humane handling non-compliance at Towson Cold Storage establishment # M18731. Plant personnel brought the third steer into the stunning box. The steer was placed in the head gate and plant personnel attempted to stun the animal with a captive bolt. After the first stun with the captive bolt, the animal remained standing, blood was seen coming out of both nostrils, and the animal vocalized. Plant personnel reloaded the captive bolt and fired it a second time. The captive bolt penetrated the animal’s head but failed to successfully stun the animal. The animal remained standing, blood continued to come from nostrils, and animal continued to vocalize. The plant personnel reloaded the captive bolt a third time and attempted to stun the steer. The third shot was unsuccessful, and the steer remained standing, continued to vocalize, and blood was seen flowing for both nostrils. The plant personnel reloaded the captive bolt for a fourth time and successfully stunned the steer. Operations were stopped and U.S. reject tag #B25733272 was applied to the stunning area to prevent any additional animals from being slaughtered. Plant management was verbally made aware of the halt in operations. This is a failure of 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) (2). Upon postmortem inspection four entry holes were seen. The last employee training log concerning humane handling (including movement of animals, restraining of animals, and stun equipment placement on head/animal) was recorded 05/31/24. The last record of equipment maintenance (captive bolt) was 05/31/2024. The plant personnel did follow their written Robust Systematic Approach to Humane Handling document concerning the use of the captive bolt; however, their backup equipment, a rifle, was not readily accessible during this event. Another plant personnel employee needed to exit the slaughter floor/stunning area and had to retrieve the backup rifle in a different room in the plant.