Driver charged after 25 slaughter-bound horses were intercepted in New York; Animals’ Angels and fellow advocates are urging prosecutors to pursue accountability for longtime kill buyer Bruce Rotz
Safe from slaughter: Animals’ Angels President Sonja Meadows visits with the 25 rescued horses, now being cared for at an undisclosed property.
DEKALB, N.Y., September 10, 2026 — Less than a week after they were intercepted on their way to slaughter in Canada, 25 horses are safe and receiving care at an undisclosed property. Animals’ Angels President Sonja Meadows visited the horses Monday, seeing firsthand the animals whose slaughter-bound transport Animals’ Angels had worked to help stop.
But while the horses are safe, the fight for accountability is not over. Animals’ Angels is joining fellow horse advocates in calling on the St. Lawrence County District Attorney to pursue charges against longtime kill buyer Bruce Rotz.
The driver, Robert M. Seitz, has been charged with transporting horses to slaughter in violation of New York Agriculture and Markets Law §385. The interception and charges have since been reported by the Times Union. Bruce Rotz, doing business as Rotz Livestock, is identified in documents associated with the shipment as the horses’ owner/shipper Rotz has not been charged.
The September 2 interception followed days of surveillance and investigative work by Animals’ Angels near Rotz’s Shippensburg, Pennsylvania operation. Intelligence gathered during the investigation helped lead New York State Police to the slaughter-bound shipment.
One of the 25 rescued horses enjoys mineral salts brought by Animals’ Angels President Sonja Meadows.
Following the interception, the New York State Humane Association helped coordinate the horses’ safe removal and transition into care.
The interception was made possible through a coordinated effort involving Animals’ Angels, HORSEPWR, the New York State Humane Association, New York State Police and Senator Dan Stec, whose work helped advance and support enforcement of New York’s horse-slaughter protections.
Animals’ Angels and HORSEPWR are now asking advocates to contact the St. Lawrence County District Attorney and urge the office to fully prosecute Seitz and pursue charges against Rotz for his role in the shipment.
“We fought for this law so that horses could be protected from slaughter, and now we need to make sure it is fully enforced,” said Sonja Meadows, President of Animals’ Angels. “Twenty-five horses were on that truck. We are asking prosecutors to hold everyone responsible for sending them to slaughter accountable.”
Take Action Now
Help ensure New York’s horse-slaughter protections are fully enforced.
Call the St. Lawrence County District Attorney:
(315) 379-2225
Suggested Message
“I’m calling about the 25 slaughter-bound horses intercepted in St. Lawrence County on September 2. I’m asking the District Attorney to fully pursue the pending case and thoroughly investigate the roles of every person or business involved in owning, arranging, directing or facilitating this shipment. If the evidence establishes that Bruce Rotz or any additional parties violated New York Agriculture and Markets Law §385 or any other applicable law, I respectfully ask that appropriate charges be brought. Please ensure New York’s protections for horses are fully and consistently enforced.”
About Animals’ Angels
Animals’ Angels is a nonprofit animal-welfare organization dedicated to investigating and exposing cruelty to animals at auctions, feedlots, slaughterhouses and during transport. Its investigators work throughout the United States to document abuse, hold offenders accountable and advocate for stronger protections for animals.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sonja Meadows
Animals’ Angels
info@animalsangels.org
443-821-3343
