Full Breakdown
Pennsylvania Truck Driver Arrested for Transporting Horses to Canadian Slaughter Facility
9/4/2026, 7:51:20 AM
Core Event
New York State Police stopped a red 2007 Freightliner hauling a livestock trailer on U.S. Highway 11 in DeKalb early Wednesday after a traffic violation. The driver, identified as Robert M. Seitz of Lewiston, Pennsylvania, was found to be transporting horses that had been tagged for export to a slaughterhouse in Quebec, Canada. Seitz was charged under New York Agriculture and Markets Law § 385.02, which prohibits the slaughter of horses for human or animal consumption. The horses were removed from his custody and placed under protection. Seitz received an appearance ticket and is slated to appear in DeKalb Town Court.
Background & Context
The investigation originated from a complaint filed by the New York State Humane Association with the Warren County District Attorney’s Office. The complaint alleged that multiple horses were being moved from Pennsylvania, through New York, to a Canadian slaughter facility. New York State Police collaborated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the nonprofit Animals’ Angels to examine the operation of Rotz’s Livestock, owned by Bruce Rotz of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. The agency’s focus was on alleged practices of buying, tagging, and shipping horses for slaughter abroad, which contravenes state law.
Official Statements & Responses
New York State Police’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit reported that the inspection confirmed the horses were earmarked for Canadian slaughter, prompting the arrest. State officials emphasized that the law aims to protect horses from being used for meat production, a practice banned in New York. The Department of Agriculture and Markets noted that the law applies to any transport of horses intended for slaughter, regardless of destination.
Data & Statistics
- Vehicle: 2007 Freightliner with livestock trailer
- Time of stop: approximately 2:24 a.m.
- Driver: Robert M. Seitz, Lewiston, Pennsylvania
- Owner of implicated livestock business: Bruce Rotz, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
What’s Next
Seitz is scheduled to appear before DeKalb Town Court to address the violation charge. The case may prompt further scrutiny of interstate horse transport operations and could lead to additional enforcement actions against companies suspected of violating New York’s anti-slaughter statutes.
