25 Horses Saved From Slaughter: A Turning Point in Animals’ Angels’ Investigation of Bruce Rotz

After more than 15 years investigating Bruce Rotz and the slaughter-horse pipeline, Animals’ Angels helped provide intelligence that led New York State Police to intercept 25 horses headed for slaughter at Viande Richelieu in Canada. On September 2, 2026, the truck was stopped in DeKalb, New York, and all 25 horses were taken into protective care.

For years, our investigations into the horse-slaughter pipeline ended at the brick wall of a slaughter plant. We followed trucks, documented their movements and gathered evidence, but once the horses crossed the border, there was little we could do to change their fate. This time was different: our investigation helped stop the truck before it crossed the border — and 25 horses got off alive.

The Investigation That Helped Stop the Truck

Beginning August 31, Animals’ Angels President Sonja Meadows and a second investigator conducted surveillance near Rotz Livestock in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. Investigators monitored activity connected to the operation, watching the movement of horses and trucks and working to identify the next shipment leaving for Canada.

At approximately 4 a.m. on September 2, New York State Police intercepted a truck carrying 25 horses in St. Lawrence County. Documentation obtained from the driver confirmed that the shipment was destined for slaughter at Viande Richelieu. Animals’ Angels’ investigative work helped provide the intelligence that led authorities to the shipment.

The interception was made possible through a larger coordinated effort involving New York State Police, the New York State Humane Association, HORSEPWR and Senator Dan Stec, whose work helped support enforcement of New York’s horse-slaughter protections.

25 Horses Suddenly Needed Somewhere to Go

Stopping the truck created an unprecedented situation for Animals’ Angels. For the first time in our history, an investigation had ended with 25 horses who had been headed to slaughter suddenly needing immediate care and safe placement.

The New York State Humane Association played a critical role in coordinating the horses’ removal, temporary placement, veterinary care and the resources needed to receive them. Animals’ Angels is an investigative organization, not a rescue, but after working to help get these horses off the truck, we committed to helping support their continued care.

We initially asked our community to help raise $25,000. Veterinary evaluations later determined that several of the horses would require significant, extended care, making that support even more important.

Together, We Raised $30,000 for the 25 Survivors

Animals’ Angels supporters responded by not only meeting our $25,000 goal, but surpassing it. Together, our community raised $30,000 to help support the continued care of the 25 survivors.

The New York State Humane Association and Dorset Equine Rescue are now equipped to provide the hands-on care and rehabilitation these horses need, while Animals’ Angels provides financial support. With their day-to-day care in experienced hands, Animals’ Angels can return its focus to the investigative work that helped make their interception possible.

A Fight With Bruce Rotz That Goes Back to 2009

The September interception did not happen in isolation. Animals’ Angels has investigated Bruce Rotz and Rotz Livestock since 2009, documenting his Pennsylvania operation, the treatment and condition of horses in his custody, and the routes used to transport horses from the United States to slaughter facilities in Canada.

After New York enacted legislation prohibiting the sale, transfer and transport of horses for slaughter, Animals’ Angels obtained official documentation showing that Rotz was continuing to ship slaughter-bound horses through the state. We filed a formal complaint seeking enforcement, but that case did not result in charges. Our investigation continued.

Read our previous investigations:

Bruce Rotz Violates NY Call to Action

Cruel Career of Bruce Rotz

The Driver Was Charged. Rotz Has Not Been.

The September 2 interception marked an important test of New York’s horse-slaughter law. The truck’s driver, Robert M. Seitz, was charged with transporting horses to slaughter in violation of New York Agriculture and Markets Law §385.

Bruce Rotz, doing business as Rotz Livestock and identified in documents associated with the shipment as the horses’ owner/shipper, has not been charged. Animals’ Angels believes the investigation should examine the roles of everyone involved in owning, arranging, directing or facilitating the shipment, rather than ending with the individual who drove the truck.

Animals’ Angels will continue following the case against the driver, monitoring the court proceedings and advocating for a complete investigation into Rotz’s role. Regardless of the outcome of the driver’s case, our investigation of Rotz and his slaughter-horse operation will continue.

What the 25 Horses Changed

Joe was one of 25 horses aboard the slaughter-bound truck intercepted in New York on September 2. Today, he is safe and receiving the care he needs.

For more than 15 years, Animals’ Angels has investigated the slaughter pipeline to expose what happens to horses caught within it and gather evidence that can be put into the hands of authorities. The September 2 interception showed what can happen when that work leads to enforcement.

Investigators identified and monitored the operation. Intelligence reached authorities. Law enforcement stopped the shipment. Humane and rescue organizations were prepared to receive the horses. And when 25 survivors suddenly needed ongoing support, the Animals’ Angels community provided the resources to help care for them.

The experience gives us a model we can build upon: investigate and document the slaughter pipeline, get actionable intelligence into the hands of authorities, work with law enforcement and trusted humane and rescue partners, and be prepared when an opportunity arises to remove horses from a slaughter-bound shipment.

For these 25 horses, years of investigation changed their destination. Now we’ll put this playbook into action for more horses.

Animals’ Angels President Sonja Meadows with one of the 25 survivors. After the interception, she promised that Animals’ Angels would help ensure all 25 received the care they needed. Our supporters helped us keep that promise, raising $30,000.