A judge has ruled a Manitoba company flying horses to Japan for slaughter and sushi was not responsible for what happened after the animals were dropped off at the Winnipeg airport.

Manitoba provincial court Judge Sandra Chapman gave a decision in the landmark animal-rights court case Friday, after a judge-alone trial.

Animal-rights organization Animal Justice, which undertook the rare private prosecution, alleged exporter Carolyle Farms’ 2022 shipment violated federal law because it exceeded the 28-hour maximum time live horses can be transported without food, water and rest.

The shipment faced delays leaving the Winnipeg airport, and the flight was then re-routed because blizzard conditions prevented a stop in Anchorage, Alaska.

Chapman ruled Carolyle Farms, which is located in Swan River, Man., had a contingency plan that “considered all possibilities” and fulfilled its responsibilities.

Kaitlyn Mitchell, Animal Justice’s director of legal advocacy, says the organization is “incredibly disappointed” by the decision.

“This sends the message that no one in Canada is responsible for these horses once the wheels leave the ground,” she told reporters outside of the courthouse Friday.

“To let the export company off the hook when their entire business model is based on selling horses to Japan and getting them to these quarantine facilities, it’s really concerning.”

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