CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec

aPPendiCes
the pen. In these pens, the cattle were crowded shoulder to shoulder with no room to lie
down. According to plant management there was 220 head of cattle total in the pens.
2. Plant was issued an NR on September 3, 2003 for cattle slipping and falling due to
worn grooves in the concrete alleyway. Inspector issuing the citation noted: “Cattle
slipping in the alleyway has been observed every day during ante-mortem and is an
ongoing problem at this establishment.” On this date, plant was also cited for having a
downer cow with her head stuck in the bars of a gate. Plant employees had attempted
to free the animal by kicking her in the head and shocking her with an electrical prod
numerous times.
3. Plant was issued an NR on January 15, 2004 for failure to provide water to animals
in pens.
West Michigan beef Co. (Hudsonville, Mich.)
1. Plant was issued NRs on October 16, 2002 and December 23, 2003 for failure to
provide animals in holding pens with water.
2. Plant was issued NRs on October 21, 2002 and May 24, 2003 for dragging live downer
cattle. The plant appealed the first citation, claiming that at the time of the incident the
sun had not yet risen and the inspectors were not able to see clearly. The FSIS responded
that the ante-mortem area was adequately lighted and denied the appeal.
3. Plant was issued an NR on December 18, 2003 for ineffective stunning, as
described below:
At 1420 while returning from the downer shed, [inspection personnel] observed a
plant employee applying a second blow to two veal calves with the air gun. Both calves
were conscious and had bloody marks on their foreheads from where the first stun had
been applied. When the second stun was applied, one calf was still attempting to stand
and other calf was still blinking and had a strong corneal reflex. A third calf was also
observed to be blinking and looking around after the initial stun. The employee took
the air gun to apply a third stun which [inspection personnel] stopped and required
the mechanical captive bolt to be used. While it was being retrieved, a fourth calf was
observed to raise its head and was blinking and looking around. The employee effectively
used the mechanical captive bolt to render insensible the affected calves.
Williamsburg Packing (Kingstree, S.C.)
1. Plant was issued NRs on January 14, 2004, February 20, 2004 and February 24, 2004
for insufficient stunning.
2. Plant was issued an NR on February 25, 2004 for dragging a conscious downed
hog. Although the plant had a policy of not accepting downed animals, it did not have
suitable equipment to move conscious animals becoming injured while in the plant
holding facilities.
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