Stec: Notorious kill buyer stopped with enforcement of Equine Slaughter Ban

QUEENSBURY | A traffic stop in Dekalb on Sept. 2, followed a coordinated effort by animal-welfare organizations, Sen. Dan Stec (R-Queensbury) and New York State Police. Three years after New York enacted landmark legislation that banned the sale and transfer of horses for slaughter, the New York State Police executed a major enforcement action, intercepting a notorious kill buyer on County Route 11 in the Town of DeKalb. The operation marks a critical breakthrough in shutting down interstate pipelines that transport horses through New York to Canadian slaughterhouses. The collaboration enforcement effort was furthered by the Warren County District Attorney's Office as horses were transported from Pennsylvania to a slaughter facility in Quebec by Rotz's Livestock. The horses were purchased, tagged and transported to Canada for slaughter and human consumption. The successful stop was the culmination of extensive data tracking and monitoring of the kill buyer's premises by Animals' Angels. "For years, Animals' Angels has followed these trucks, documented their movements and worked to expose the kill buyers who profit from sending horses to slaughter," said Sonja Meadows, Animals' Angels. "Our investigators' detailed documentation and knowledge of this particular kill buyer were instrumental in making this operation possible. This stop demonstrates why persistent field investigations, careful documentation and collaboration with law enforcement are so critical. We are deeply grateful to the State Troopers and everyone who acted on the information provided, and we hope this marks the beginning of consistent enforcement throughout New York." Sen. Dan Stec (R-Queensbury) assisted in the facilitation of the operation by presenting the advocates' evidence directly to State Police personnel and district attorneys. "This operation demonstrates what can happen when advocates, legislators, prosecutors, and law enforcement work together toward a shared goal," Sen. Stec said. "This stop sends an important message that those who profit from this brutal trade cannot assume New York's law will go unenforced." "While New York boasts one of the nation's strongest equine anti-slaughter laws, enforcement remains challenging due to the international nature of the trade," stated Karin Spencer, founder of HORSEPOWER, the state's only equine-welfare advocacy organization, who was also instrumental in this investigation. She further emphasized that the state must now establish permanent funding, training, and humane holding protocols to ensure this breakthrough becomes standard statewide procedure. The participating organizations will continue working with state leaders and prosecutors to strengthen implementation and secure the resources needed to investigate these crimes The New York State Humane Association was equally essential to the operation, working around the clock to secure an appropriate holding facility, veterinarians and other professionals necessary to receive, evaluate and care for the animals. "A law-enforcement operation involving horses cannot succeed unless there is a safe and humane plan for the animals once a truck is stopped," said Patricia Valusek, Chair of the New York State Humane Association.

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Stec: Notorious kill buyer stopped with enforcement of Equine Slaughter Ban

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