CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec
CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec
CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec
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enforCement of federal laW in u.s. Plants<br />
I noted 3 down cows in the suspect pen and was told there were 6 down cows. I<br />
then asked where the other 3 were and was told they had been unloaded in the<br />
field the evening before…. The three disabled animals that were unloaded in the<br />
fields were not sheltered to protect them from adverse weather conditions when<br />
it rained and snowed during the time in the field and also were not provided with<br />
water or feed. 130<br />
I observed a live animal in pen 14 that was lying on its side with minimal<br />
movement. The left leg was mutilated and I could see exposed meat. There were<br />
approximately 175 swine in the pen. I observed two or three swine biting into<br />
the animal’s left leg. Later [inspection personnel] went to see the animal with<br />
[supervisor] and the animal was separated from the rest of the animals and was<br />
found dead. 131<br />
Floors maintained to provide good footing<br />
Federal regulations state, “Floors of livestock pens, ramps, and driveways shall be<br />
constructed and maintained so as to provide good footing for livestock.” 132 Following are<br />
examples from federal NRs of failure to maintain flooring that provides good footing for<br />
animals:<br />
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I observed five heifers in a live holding pen. When a plant employee and myself<br />
walked by the pen one of the heifers slipped on the smooth concrete surface and<br />
lost its footing and fell to the floor… and fell into two other heifers and they fell<br />
to their knees. 133<br />
When one of the beef [cattle] was brought into the knocking chute, it was<br />
observed slipping in the door way to the holding pen area due to ice on the<br />
floor. 134<br />
Two heifers in alley way leading to the slaughter unit were slipping on patch of<br />
ice, covering area of ground about 10 ft. by 12 ft. 135<br />
Sufficient space for lying<br />
Federal regulations require there be “sufficient room in the holding pen for animals<br />
held overnight to lie down.” 136 Insufficient space often results in the plant being<br />
simultaneously cited for lack of access to water and/or feed, due to the animals’ inability<br />
to move to within reach of water/feed troughs. Following are examples from federal NRs<br />
of failure to provide adequate space:<br />
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In pen #9 I observed in my professional judgment overcrowding of hogs. There<br />
130 NR issued to plant #04470M on October 3, 2003.<br />
131 NR issued to plant #06113M on December 15, 2002.<br />
132 9 CFR 313.1(b).<br />
133 NR issued to plant #02325M on November 21, 2003.<br />
134 NR issued to plant #05633M on December 17, 2003.<br />
135 NR issued to plant #21744M on February 17, 2004.<br />
136 9 CFR 313.2(e).<br />
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