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DEKALB, N.Y. -- Horses allegedly being transported through New York to Canada for slaughter and human consumption were removed from the custody of a Lewistown man following a traffic stop, according to New York State Police.
Robert M. Seitz, of Lewistown, was stopped at about 2:24 a.m. Sept. 2 while driving a 2007 Freightliner towing a livestock trailer north on U.S. Highway 11 in the town of DeKalb, police said in a news release.
Troopers said they observed a violation of New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Law and initiated the stop. Members of the New York State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit responded and conducted a safety inspection of the truck and trailer.
During the investigation, troopers determined Seitz was transporting multiple horses that had been tagged for transport to Canada for slaughter, according to the release.
Police said Seitz was issued an appearance ticket for violating New York State Agriculture and Markets Law § 385.02, which prohibits the slaughter of horses for human or animal consumption.
Police said the horses were removed from Seitz’s custody, and arrangements were made for their protection. The release did not state how many horses were being transported or where they were taken.
The traffic stop stemmed from an investigation that began Aug. 28, when New York State Police were notified of a complaint involving horses allegedly being transported from Pennsylvania through New York to a slaughter facility in Quebec.
According to police, the New York State Humane Association brought the complaint to the attention of the Warren County District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation focused on Rotz’s Livestock in Shippensburg, owned by Bruce Rotz, and allegations that horses were being purchased, tagged and transported to Canada for slaughter and human consumption.
New York State Police worked with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the nonprofit organization Animals’ Angels during the investigation.
Seitz is scheduled to appear in Town of DeKalb Court at a later date.