The United States Department of Agriculture temporarily suspended a Littlestown butchery from operating after an employee allegedly punched a boar hog multiple times during handling.
On March 2, 2022, an inspection program personnel from the Food Safety and Inspection Service observed two employees at Stoney Point Butchery Inc. attempt to move a 650-pound boar hog into the stunning area, a space the animals are moved to before slaughtering, according to a USDA notice of suspension.
The hog, however, did not want to move, and one employee began to “rapidly punch the boar with a closed fist.” The hog tried to move away from the punches by turning its head, according to the notice. According to the notice of suspension, the employee “hit the boar three times with full, closed fist.” The employee proceeded to punch “around the neck area, and then one full punch in the face before IPP could tell him to stop.”
Following the employee’s “egregious” handling of the hog, the USDA halted all slaughter operations by Stoney Point Butchery.
The Federal Meat Inspection Act states that for a slaughter to take place, inspectors must be present “for the purpose of preventing the inhumane slaughtering of livestock.”
Halting a slaughter inspection legally prohibits the slaughterhouse from practicing.
Stoney Point Butchery is a third-generation, family-run farm and has been in the meat industry for over 85 years. Owner Kristin Chrismer said in all their years of operation, this is the first time an incident like this, has been issued.
“The employee involved in the incident has been with us for many years, and this is the first time something like this has happened with this particular employee. Other employees have said he the best person they’ve seen work with animals,” Chrismer said.
According to Chrismer, the inspection personnel who was present during the incident, was filling in for another inspector who has inspected Stoney Point in the past.
After the report was issued, Chrismer was told by another employee also present during the incident, that the accused employee did not punch the hog with a “closed fist,” but instead an “open-handed, slap” around the waist in an attempt to move the hog.
When an animal such as a hog, or lamb is being transported into the stunning area and does not move, Chrismer said there are secondary steps an employee can take.
“The employee can either take a break and try again later, use a paddleboard to guide the animal or in some cases the slaughter can take place in the pen if need be.”
When it comes to handling livestock, Chrismer said the USDA is present everyday, monitoring the employees, who are aware that they are not allowed to hit the animal’s face, head or shoulder areas.
Two days after the incident, each member of the slaughter crew was re-trained on the correct and humane methods for handling livestock in accordance with the USDA.
“We are small farm and we work closely with 75 other small farms. The work we do is important to the agricultural community, and we take it very seriously because this is our livelihood,” Chrismer said.
As part of corrective and preventative measures, Stoney Point Butchery removed the employee responsible, from the slaughter crew for a minimum of 30 days. That employee must also undergo a re-training process, and when completed he will be monitored while handling animals.
In addition, the plant manager at Stoney Point will be required to “supervise the moving of 20% of each species from holding pens to slaughter floor for a minimum of 90 days.”
Chrismer said her employees are re-trained on a yearly basis to ensure they are following the correct methods for handling.
“We take our job very seriously, and will continue to practice the best and most humane methods,” Chrismer said.
In a statement, the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, ‘PETA,’ urged Stoney Point Farm “to report the worker who abused the pig to local law enforcement and permanently reassign him to a position that doesn’t involve contact with live animals.”
Lena Tzivekis is a reporter with the Hanover Evening Sun/York Daily Record. Email her at etzivekis@eveningsun.com or message her on Twitter at @tzivekis
