New York troopers arrest truck driver for attempt at hauling load of horses to Canada for slaughter

New York State Police (NYSP) arrested a semi truck driver caught hauling horses to slaughter in violation of state law.

On August 28, 2026, NYSP was notified of a complaint brought by the New York State Humane Association that several horses were transported from Pennsylvania through New York State to a slaughterhouse in Quebec, Canada, where they would be processed for human consumption.

NYSP launched an investigation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the United States Department of Agriculture, and a non-profit called Animals’ Angels.

The investigation identified Rotz’s Livestock, owned by Bruce Rotz, out of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, as the company associated with purchasing and tagging the animals for slaughter and human consumption.

At 2:24 a.m. on September 2, 2026, NYSP troopers spotted a red 2007 Freightliner hauling a livestock trailer traveling north on U.S. Highway 11 in DeKalb.

The troopers “observed a violation of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law and initiated a traffic stop.”

NYSP made contact with truck driver Robert M. Seitz, of Lewiston, Pennsylvania.

A NYSP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit responded to the scene to conduct an inspection.

During the traffic stop, NYSP determined that Seitz was transporting the load of horses to Canada for slaughter.

“Seitz was arrested and charged with violating New York State Agriculture and Markets Law § 385.02, which prohibits the slaughter of horses for human or animal consumption,” NYSP said.

The horses were removed from the custody of Seitz.

Seitz was issued an appearance ticket and will be scheduled to appear in the Town of DeKalb Court.

In 2023, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill forbidding the slaughter of horses for consumption. The bill also forbids the transport of horses for the purpose of slaughter and consumption by humans or animals.