CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec

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Crimes Without ConsequenCes
were numerous hogs trying to rest on top of other hogs due to lack of space. I
observed firsthand the extreme vocalization of hogs positioned on the bottom as
other hogs tried to rest and walk on top of them. 137
It was observed that there was insufficient room in several of the holding pens
for the animals to lie down overnight. For instance, there were 37 head of
cattle in the test pen and 34 animals in pens 17 and 18. Less than 10% of these
animals had sufficient room to lie down and the rest had to remain standing. 138
Four cows were down in this pen. There was not sufficient room for them to get
up once they were down. Once the pen was emptied two got up immediately.
The other two had considerable bruising and trauma from being down in a pen
tightly packed with cattle. 139
Humane driving of animals
Federal regulations state, “Driving of livestock from the unloading ramp to the holding
pens and from the holding pens to the stunning area shall be done with a minimum of
excitement and discomfort to the animals.” 140 Regulations also prohibit “excessive” use
of electric prods, canvas slappers or other implements, as determined by FSIS inspection
personnel. 141 Following are examples from federal NRs of failure to drive animals in a
humane manner:
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I observed [a] slaughter employee prodding the animal with the sharp end of a
pitchfork. I immediately told him to “drop the pitchfork” which he did and he
picked up a hot shot [electric prod] that he had been using, which apparently
was not functioning. 142
At approximately 0815 a hog escaped from the pen onto the kill floor. A company
employee picked up a metal pipe and began striking the hog on the head. The
employee was instructed to stop striking the hog, which he did. 143
The inspector observed the plant employee located immediately prior to the
cattle entering the restrainer using the electric prod (hot shot) on every animal
as they passed by her. After the inspector was aware that consecutive animals
were being prodded when there was no indication of balking, a count was begun
and reached 7 animals when said employee became aware that she was being
observed. 144
I observed hog yard foreman violently beating on the hogs in the pen with a
slapper paddle. Over the 2-3 minute period I observed [him] using one arm
and two arms on the slapper paddle beating the hogs. The hogs became over
137 NR issued to plant #00003SM on December 8, 2003.
138 NR issued to plant #00562MM on December 16, 2003.
139 NR issued to plant #00477M on November 16, 2002.
140 9 CFR 313.2(a).
141 9 CFR 313.2(b).
142 NR issued to plant #02439 on March 10, 2004.
143 NR issued to plant #11159M on October 15, 2003.
144 NR issued to plant #00278M on October 7, 2003.
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