CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec

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enforCement of federal laW in u.s. Plants
I noted 3 down cows in the suspect pen and was told there were 6 down cows. I
then asked where the other 3 were and was told they had been unloaded in the
field the evening before…. The three disabled animals that were unloaded in the
fields were not sheltered to protect them from adverse weather conditions when
it rained and snowed during the time in the field and also were not provided with
water or feed. 130
I observed a live animal in pen 14 that was lying on its side with minimal
movement. The left leg was mutilated and I could see exposed meat. There were
approximately 175 swine in the pen. I observed two or three swine biting into
the animal’s left leg. Later [inspection personnel] went to see the animal with
[supervisor] and the animal was separated from the rest of the animals and was
found dead. 131
Floors maintained to provide good footing
Federal regulations state, “Floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be
constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock.” 132 Following are
examples from federal NRs of failure to maintain flooring that provides good footing for
animals:
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I observed five heifers in a live holding pen. When a plant employee and myself
walked by the pen one of the heifers slipped on the smooth concrete surface and
lost its footing and fell to the floor… and fell into two other heifers and they fell
to their knees. 133
When one of the beef [cattle] was brought into the knocking chute, it was
observed slipping in the door way to the holding pen area due to ice on the
floor. 134
Two heifers in alley way leading to the slaughter unit were slipping on patch of
ice, covering area of ground about 10 ft. by 12 ft. 135
Sufficient space for lying
Federal regulations require there be “sufficient room in the holding pen for animals
held overnight to lie down.” 136 Insufficient space often results in the plant being
simultaneously cited for lack of access to water and/or feed, due to the animals’ inability
to move to within reach of water/feed troughs. Following are examples from federal NRs
of failure to provide adequate space:
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In pen #9 I observed in my professional judgment overcrowding of hogs. There
130 NR issued to plant #04470M on October 3, 2003.
131 NR issued to plant #06113M on December 15, 2002.
132 9 CFR 313.1(b).
133 NR issued to plant #02325M on November 21, 2003.
134 NR issued to plant #05633M on December 17, 2003.
135 NR issued to plant #21744M on February 17, 2004.
136 9 CFR 313.2(e).
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