- Boyd H. Fenton has been arrested and charged with an alleged arson Thursday
- Police have confirmed more than 24 horses were killed at Tioga Downs Casino
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
A 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged with arson after he allegedly set fire to a New York barn on Thursday, killing more than two dozen race horses.
The tragic events took place at the Tioga Downs Casino complex in Nichols, New York, around an hour south of Syracuse.
The New York State Police say they responded to a structure fire, later releasing a statement to confirm that ‘over two dozen racehorses died’ in the blaze.
The statement added: ‘One person who entered the burning barn in an attempt to save horses suffered second-degree burns and was transported to Robert Packer Hospital for treatment.’
Boyd H. Fenton was later named as the suspect, before he was arrested and charged with third-degree arson, third-degree burglary, second degree assault and Criminal Mischief in the second.
A video captured the devastating damage of a fire at Tioga Downs Casino on Thursday
Police have arrested and charged Boyd H. Fenton with the alleged arson which killed 24 horses
A horse is pictured on the GoFundMe started for the horsemen of Tioga Downs Casino
Soon after the arrest was made, PETA released a statement condemning Fenton’s alleged actions, with a spokesperson saying: ‘The despicable individual who allegedly set fire to a barn at Tioga Downs harness track, killing multiple horses, must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
‘PETA calls for cruelty-to-animals charges to be included and thanks the New York State Police for swiftly apprehending a suspect.
‘We don’t know what would motivate anyone to do something so awful except insurance fraud or pure malice. The suffering of the horses who were burned alive is almost unimaginable, and these animals, as the victims, must be considered in any prosecution.’
A video of the blaze was posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, by Harness Horses Uncovered, and showed a completely destroyed structure, with fire officers still attending to the ruins.
A GoFundMe page was set up in the aftermath of the tragic incident to raise money for the Tioga Downs Horsemen, with a $50,000 target quickly being passed, with the total standing at just short of $100,000 on Friday afternoon.
