Victory! This alert made a difference for animals! Learn more.

New York State Police have arrested a man responsible for intentionally starting a fire that tragically killed 30 horses at Tioga Downs Casino Resort in Nichols, New York. Demand maximum penalties in this case!

On November 9, 2023, a barn fire was intentionally set very early in the morning that caused the unimaginably horrifying deaths of the 30 terrified horses who were trapped inside. Guardians who arrived early that morning attempted to save them, but they were too late to help — the barn was completely engulfed in flames by that point.

Police quickly arrested Boyd Fenton, of Athens, Pennsylvania, in connection to the crime and charged him with four felonies, including arson in the third degree, burglary in the third degree, criminal mischief in the second degree, and assault in the second degree. He was incarcerated in the Tioga County Correctional Facility.

While Boyd has numerous charges against him, he was not charged with two relevant crimes. The New York State Agriculture and Markets Law Article 26 (section 353-a) carries felony charges for aggravated cruelty to animals. “A person is guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals when, with no justifiable purpose, he or she intentionally kills or intentionally causes serious physical injury to a companion animal with aggravated cruelty.”

Additionally, section 361 of the Agriculture and Markets Law Article 26 pertains specifically to racehorses. Under this section, it is a felony to injure or destroy a racehorse.

Boyd violated these sections of New York State Agriculture and Markets Law Article 26 and we must insist that he is charged under both sections with a count for each of the horses who perished at his hands.

Should Boyd ever see the light of day, he must undergo a mental evaluation, treatment, and never be allowed to live or work with animals again as they are extremely vulnerable to violent and callous offenders like him.

Those whose horses were lost have voiced their heartbreak, while a motive for this crime remains unknown.

Victory! This alert made a difference for animals! Learn more.