DEKALB, New York (WWNY) – New York State Police arrested a Pennsylvania truck driver early Wednesday after stopping him with a trailer of horses troopers say were being taken to Canada to be slaughtered.
Complaint sparked investigation
The New York State Humane Association reported the horse transport to the Warren County District Attorney’s Office. The complaint said multiple horses were being moved from Pennsylvania, through New York, to a slaughter facility in Quebec.
New York State Police investigated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the nonprofit Animals’ Angels.
The investigation focused on Rotz’s Livestock, owned by Bruce Rotz in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, over allegations that horses were being bought, tagged and shipped to Canada for slaughter.
Traffic stop leads to arrest
Around 2:24 a.m. Wednesday, troopers on U.S. Highway 11 in DeKalb stopped a red 2007 Freightliner towing a livestock trailer for a traffic violation.
The driver was identified as Robert M. Seitz, of Lewiston, Pennsylvania. The New York State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit inspected the truck and trailer and determined Seitz was hauling horses tagged for slaughter in Canada.
Seitz was charged with violating New York Agriculture and Markets Law § 385.02, which bars the slaughter of horses for human or animal consumption.
The horses were taken from Seitz’s custody and placed under protection.
Seitz was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in DeKalb Town Court.
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