CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec
CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec
CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec
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Crimes Without ConsequenCes<br />
I observed a hog that broke its leg because of a hole in the floor of the scale used<br />
to weigh lots of hogs. 108<br />
While performing my duties, the following deficiencies were found: twisted<br />
wire in ante-mortem pen that could cause injury to livestock, nails more than 5<br />
[inches] sticking out in the alley, shattered boards in the ante-mortem pen. 109<br />
The run up chute to the knocking box was found to be in disrepair. The metal<br />
side had jagged edges which pose a hazard to the cattle as they walked by going<br />
to the knocking box. 110<br />
This holding pen has the following hazards that could potentially cause injury<br />
to an animal: (1) 2 post lying on the ground of the pen with large nail spikes<br />
protruding upward, (2) 2 partial cut 55 gallon metal drums on the ground with<br />
sharp edges, (3) 2 pieces of the roofing with sharp edges on the ground, (4)<br />
a tree limb with a protruding sharp limb, (5) a partial wire hog panel on the<br />
ground with heavy wire protruding upwards, (6) wooden side panels with many<br />
protruding nails, (7) many broken boards laying on the ground with sharp points<br />
and some protruding nails. 111<br />
Rendering animals insensible<br />
The most serious deficiency, in terms of animal welfare, is the failure to render animals<br />
insensible to pain prior to slaughter. Federal regulations state: “Stunning methods<br />
approved in Sec. 313.30 shall be effectively applied to animals prior to their being<br />
shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut.” 112 Following are examples of incidents where<br />
animals were found to be conscious after having been shackled and hoisted or cut:<br />
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I observed a hog being dropped into the scald tank that immediately started<br />
moving. I stepped up on the ladder that was nearby to look in the scald tank and<br />
observed the hog kicking and moving wildly, as if it were trying to get out. The<br />
hog was also gasping for breath in the water. 113<br />
I observed 2 hogs coming onto the kill floor which were either inadequately<br />
stunned or stuck. One hog was jerking its unshackled hind leg. The second hog<br />
jerked its hind leg when a trimmer attempted to cut the hide…. The district<br />
humane handling expert concurs that hogs kicking 7 minutes post sticking are<br />
either inadequately stunned or stuck. 114<br />
I noticed a cow on the rail that was blinking its eyes and looked to be conscious,<br />
cow had not been bled yet. I notified employee hanging the cows that the animal<br />
had been improperly stunned (hole from captive bolt gun was off center). He<br />
108 NR issued to plant #02594M on March 17, 2003.<br />
109 NR issued to plant #21885M on January 9, 2003.<br />
110 NR issued to plant #02934M on January 8, 2003.<br />
111 NR issued to plant #11070M on November 5, 2003.<br />
112 9 CFR 313.2(f).<br />
113 NR issued to plant #21799M on December 31, 2002.<br />
114 NR issued to plant #00760M on November 4, 2002.<br />
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