Putting Glass Walls on Pennsylvania Slaughterhouses So We Can See Behind Closed Doors from FAUN Friends Of Animals United
Natural Acres Meats (dba Troutman & Sons)

Address: 428 White Top Rd, Middleburg, PA 17842
Establishment No.: m09832

USDA Inspection Report: 31 May 2012

Code: 04C02
Violation: 313.15, 313.2

Citation: HATS Category- Handling of Livestock
Stunning Effectiveness
9CFR 313.2(f), 313.15(a) (1), 313.15(3) (b) (IV)
On 5/31/2012 at establishment 09832, N. S. Troutman & Sons LLC, 428 Whitetop Road Middleburg, PA 17842, Inspector [redacted] witnessed an improper stunning performed on a young steer, back tag 23MA4542, at approximately 0830 hrs. Mr. [redacted] stated that the stunning was being performed as normal operating procedure for stunning, with one employee at the top of the knocking box and another in front of the knocking box, each with their own captive bolt, a backup stunner, assisting each other. This has been the plants normal operating procedure for stunning with captive bolt stunners.
The steer in the restraint box was highly agitated and jumped about in this confined area excessively. The employees with the captive bolts made three attempts to stun this animal and failed with each attempt. The animal appeared unaffected by the stunning attempts with the captive bolt and remained excited and or agitated, jumping about the entire process. No vocalizations from the animal were reported by the slaughter inspector during this process. A third employee rendered the animal unconscious immediately with a gun shot from a rifle. After examination of the skull there were three visible holes. All three holes were placed properly on the skull and should have resulted in a proper stun. Mr. [redacted] was notified of the violation of 9 CFR 313.2(f), 9 CFR 313.15(a)(1), and 9 CFR 313.15(3)(b)(iv).

Regulation:

313.15(a)(1) Application of stunners, required effect; handling. The captive bolt stunners shall be applied to the livestock in accordance with this section so as to produce immediate unconsciousness in the animals before they are shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut. The animals shall be stunned in such a manner that they will be rendered unconscious with a minimum of excitement and discomfort.

313.2(f) Stunning methods approved in § 313.30 shall be effectively applied to animals prior to their being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut.

 

Previous Report: USDA Inspection Report: 18 Jan 2012

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