On December 13, 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed bills A5109/S2163B into law, banning the slaughter of horses throughout the state of New York and making it illegal for any entity to transport horses in or through the state of New York if the horses are intended to be slaughtered for human or animal consumption.

The law went into effect in April of 2024 and we have to say that we wondered how officials were going to monitor the purpose of horses being exported through New York borders with Canada.

Well it appears that Government officials have not picked up on the continuation of horse exports for slaughter via the state of New York but thankfully Animals’ Angels USA has.

Animals’ Angels USA has DOCUMENTED proof that between April and September 2024, Pennsylvania kill buyer Bruce Rotz shipped over 200 horses to slaughter in Canada, using the Champlain border crossing in New York.

Animals’ Angels USA have provided this evidence to the NY Attorney General and the NY Commissioner of AG, asking them to launch an official investigation into the matter.

Rotz’s business could face a penalty of $2,500 for each horse he transported to slaughter, which means he could be facing fines totaling $500,000 or more for these violations.

As one of the largest shippers on the East Coast, Rotz routinely acquires horses at auctions in Pennsylvania, New York, and Tennessee before callously shipping the animals to their deaths at the Viande Richelieu horse slaughter plant in Quebec, Canada.

Over the years, Rotz has committed a long list of offenses against innocent horses.

A small selection of his evil deeds include:

Transporting a group of horses to slaughter in conditions that resulted in thirty of the horses being burned alive.

Overloading a trailer of horses purchased at auction, resulting in the death of ten horses after the vehicle crashed.

Shipping blind and injured horses to slaughter.

Locking four distressed, sick, emaciated pigs in a barn for days without any access to food or water, while withholding pain medicine.

Rotz pled guilty to aggravated animal cruelty and incurred a $100 fine and 12-months of probation with the stipulation that he refrain from neglecting or abusing any animal in his care.

With your help we've saved 16 horses in the last few months -- horses who would otherwise have been shipped directly to slaughter -- and we currently have room to save 4 more.

Thank you to all who have so generously contributed!

UPDATE JAN. 18, 2025:  It’s been a challenging whirlwind but 16 horses have been saved, 2 placed in permanent homes which means we have room to save 4 more!

Of course, the initial expense of buying horses from First Nations (or kill buyers) so they are not shipped to slaughter is not the biggest nut to crack. Hay, feed, vetting, farrier, and other costs are needed in addition to funds to initially purchase horses to prevent them from being shipped to slaughter - or being left to languish in pens awaiting the same fate.

We always hate to ask but if you are able to help we would love to be able to fill each of the foster homes before these groups of horses are shipped.

Again, we can’t save them all but with your help we can save a total of 20!