Weimer Meats: Non-Compliance to Humane Livestock Handling in 2025 (USDA)

313.15(a)(1)

HATS Category VIII - Stunning Effectiveness At Weimer Meats Est. M9958, while performing a Humane Handling Stunning effectiveness task, the following non-compliance was observed. At approximately 8:30 an establishment employee moved a mature sheep into the knocking pen. Another employee got into the knocking pen with the sheep to restrict its movement. A stun was attempted by a second employee, but the animal remained standing. The stunning employee reloaded the captive bolt gun and attempted a second stun, but the animal remained standing. The captive bolt gun was reloaded, and a third attempt was made, and the animal remained standing. The establishment asked what they should do, and I asked if they had a backup stunner/firearm and they said they only had the .410 shotgun available, but they were hesitant to use it for safety concerns. The .22 magnum rifle was not near the stunning area. A fourth attempt was made with the captive bolt gun which caused the animal to be stunned. A security stun was made with the captive bolt gun. The animal was then bled and remained unconscious throughout the dressing procedures. A regulatory control action was taken with U.S. Rejected tag NO. B15932551applied to the knocking pen. Mr. REDACTED was verbally informed that stunning and slaughter operations were suspended, and the District Office was being contacted for further action. This is non-compliance with 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1) and (3).