Dozens of neglected horses were seized for the fourth time from the same Vermont farm, Friesians of Majesty, highlighting significant gaps in U.S. animal welfare enforcement. Many horses were found severely malnourished and infested with parasites, prompting rescue efforts across multiple states. Despite ongoing legal action against the farm’s owner since 2023, the animals remain under his ownership due to legal protections, underscoring systemic failures in timely intervention and enforcement.

Vermont’s newly established Division of Animal Welfare aims to address these issues by reviewing laws and proposing streamlined procedures, but progress is slow. The state lacks a formal animal impound system, forcing nonprofit rescues to bear long-term care costs while courts deliberate. Advocates stress that without faster trials, consistent enforcement, and adequate funding, animal suffering will continue. They call for stronger legislation, public support for rescues, and lifestyle changes that reject animal exploitation to create meaningful protection beyond existing laws.