Washington County Meat Packing: 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 Washington County Meat Packing slaughterhouse establishment in 2025.
You can also see other establishments that were non-compliant in 2025.
313.16(a)(1),313.16(a)(3)
On Monday December 30, 2024, at approximately 12:30pm while performing the review and observation component of the humane handling task and verifying HATS Category VIII- Stunning Effectiveness I, IPP REDACTED and IPP REDACTED observed the following noncompliance: An establishment employee brought in a market hog for slaughter on the kill floor at Washington County Meat Packing. Establishment employee used a .22 magnum rifle to stun the animal which was unsuccessful because we heard vocalization and thrashing sounds coming from the knock box. We then heard a second shot from the .22 magnum immediately following the first shot. Upon entering the kill floor, we observed the animal successfully stunned. After examining the animal’s skull, we observed that both shots were accurately placed, and the projectiles entered the appropriate area of the skull. Because the corrective actions were taken immediately, this incident was not determined to be egregious by IPP. The establishment did have a backup firearm available, but it was not needed. The establishment does have validated robust systemic approach to humane handling. This is found to be noncompliant with 9 CFR 313.16(a)(1) and 314.16(a)(3). Establishment Owners Mr. and Mrs. REDACTED were notified verbally and with this written noncompliance records.
