Underground Slaughter LLC: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.16(a)(3),313.15(a)(3),313.15(a)(1),313.16(a)(1)

On February 21, 2025, at approximately 1330hrs while observing swine slaughter/sanitary dressing procedures CSI REDACTED heard a gunshot followed by loud vocalization from a hog coming from the knock box. There were two (2) initial shotgun stun attempts which were ineffective, evidenced by the animal remaining standing and agitated after the attempts. The establishment stun employee then attempted 1 Hand - Held Captive Bolt (HHCB) stun attempts (stun attempt #3), which the HHCB attempt contacted the animal but was ineffective at rendering the animal insensible/unconscious as the animal remained standing. CSI REDACTED observed the hog was still upright, moving around in the knock box agitated and making conscious vocalizations. The establishment stun employees had to go and retrieve additional shotgun shells from another area. Ultimately the establishment stun employee attempted a 4th and a 5th stun attempt with the shotgun, which were also ineffective. The 6th stun attempt, via shotgun was effective at rendering the animal insensible/unconscious and it remained so thereafter. CSI REDACTED informed REDACTED, Plant Manager of the non-compliance and that USDA Reject tag #B26 245629 was placed on the knock box and that all USDA stunning operations were on hold until the tag is removed by FSIS IPP. While the plant has been operating under a Robust Systematic Approach to Humane Handling, they were not implementing it at the time of this failure.