Episode Summary: Horses Need Rescuing… from this Horrifying Toronto Rescuer

Podcast: Rebel News Podcast
Host: David Menzies
Date: January 24, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of The Ezra Levant Show (hosted by David Menzies) uncovers the disturbing story of Stephanie Redlich, a Toronto woman who claims to run a horse rescue operation but stands accused of widespread animal neglect and fraud. The episode investigates Redlich’s reputation in Ontario’s equine community, the alarming conditions of the horses in her care, and her ongoing legal troubles—including direct interview excerpts with Redlich herself.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction: The Paradox of the “Rescuer”

• Theme: The horror of a horse "rescuer" whose horses need rescuing [00:15].
• Animal cruelty is described as a "blight on society," and the story focuses on the irony that Redlich’s horses are as much in need of rescue as those she's supposedly saving.
  • “The irony is perverse given that the horses in her care need to be rescued from the so called rescuer.” – David Menzies [01:06]

2. Who is Stephanie Redlich?

• Toronto-based operator of “Above the Stars Equine Rescue.”
• Known in Ontario’s equine circles for sketchy behavior.
• Claims of charity status investigated and found to be bogus—a forged registration number, no CRA record [02:00].
• “As the saying goes, that’s never a good sign.” – David Menzies [01:45]

3. Evidence of Neglect and Abuse

• Reports and photographic evidence from advocates in the horse community:
  • Horses in filthy, dangerous, cold, and starving conditions [04:00].
  • “Buckets contain ice rather than water.”
  • Horses forced to eat moldy hay or pick through manure for food.
  • Severe dehydration, untreated wounds, emaciation, sores.
• Marie Bennett (banhorseslaughter.com) and Donna Power (Humane Initiative) provide extensive documentation of abuse and neglect.
• Tragic case studies:
  • Seattle Sunrise – once healthy racehorse, starved and died after Redlich’s care [06:00].
  • Photo evidence of a newborn foal dying from neglect and exposure.
• “The number of horses that have suffered under Redlich is simply too numerous to list here.” – David Menzies [08:05]

4. Crackdown by Authorities

• In February, Animal Welfare Services (AWS) seized 16 horses; one euthanized immediately [09:00].
• Redlich charged with 13 counts of animal neglect (7 failing care, 3 causing/3 permitting distress).
• AWS’s invoice: $116,000 for care of seized horses.
• “I predict Animal Welfare Services will not receive a nickel from Redlich.” – David Menzies [10:10]

5. Fraud and Theft Allegations

• Multiple criminal fraud and theft charges:
  • Fraud totaling $26,000+, theft over $5,000, forged documents.
  • Sold cattle not belonging to her by pretending to care for an elderly neighbor’s animals, allegedly pocketing $60,000 [11:00].
  • Ongoing court proceedings with additional charges for uttering forged documents, fraud over $5,000, possession of crime proceeds.
• “She has more than 30 aliases… these are telltale tactics of a scammer.” – David Menzies [13:00]

6. Patterns of Deception

• Online harassment and defamation against critics.
• Advertising cheap hay with stolen images, misrepresenting horses for sale, selling animals she does not own.
• Latest twist: claims to be an “equine therapist”—demands prepayment, never shows up.

7. Redlich’s Response: Interview Excerpts

• Interview with Stephanie Redlich at her Toronto apartment foyer.
• Key claims and denials (Stephanie Redlich):
  • She’s running a family rescue, not a charity, and doesn’t accept donations [15:57, 16:49, 30:33].
  • "We save horses from dying… [but] people are insinuating we abuse horses." [16:01]
  • Blames landlords, animal welfare officials, rival rescuers for all negative outcomes.
  • Denies responsibility for horses’ suffering and insists neglect was not her doing [21:47, 31:30].
  • Attributes legal troubles to smear campaigns, says others starved horses or manipulated evidence.
  • Admits multiple rental evictions but shifts blame to “malicious” actors.

Notable Exchange on Specific Cases

• On animal neglect charges: “So the horses in my care were never in that situation. That's not the story.” [21:47]
• On Seattle Sunrise: claim that another party returned the horse to her in poor shape, denies original malnourishment [22:43–23:38].
• On John Dobson fraud/theft: “That is totally not true… I am not guilty." [28:04]; further claims Dobson’s animals were diseased and shot by him, not sold by her [29:30–29:46].
• On running a charity: Initially gave what was purported to be a charity registration, then backtracks—“It was a business number… not a charity” [30:22–30:31].

8. Personality Assessment & Systemic Breakdown

• Host observes Redlich’s pattern of denying accountability, playing the victim, and exhibiting a persecution complex [32:16].
• “Despite the mountain of evidence against Stephanie Redlich… Redlich continues to play the victim card. Her chutzpah is unbelievable.” – David Menzies [32:16]
• Critique of animal welfare systems that allow such individuals ongoing access to animals despite track records of harm.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Animal Advocacy Evidence:
  “It’s almost turned into a full time job for Bennett…a treasure trove of evidence pertaining to Redlich’s behavior. None of it is good.” – David Menzies [03:30]
• On suffering horses:
  “Horses in Redlich’s care are often severely dehydrated and dangerously thin. Many horses sport numerous sores and untreated wounds. It’s sick.” – David Menzies [05:30]
• Redlich on horse death under her care:
  “So we rented a property… we were illegally locked out again of the facility which made Animal welfare have intervention with us.” – Stephanie Redlich [18:56]
• Redlich on charity status:
  “It was a business number that we set up, not a charity number… No, I do not take funds from everyone…” – Stephanie Redlich [30:22–30:33]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Intro & Main Allegations against Redlich: [00:15–11:00]
• Community & Advocacy Evidence: [04:00–08:30]
• Animal Welfare Seizure & Charges: [09:00–10:40]
• Fraud, Theft & Court Cases: [11:00–14:30]
• Patterns of Deception & Misrepresentation: [12:50–14:30]
• Redlich Interview – Her Defense & Counterclaims: [15:57–32:16]
  • Claims of rescue size, financials: [16:26–17:16]
  • On welfare charges & conditions: [18:15–22:43]
  • On Seattle Sunrise: [22:43–24:31]
  • On allegations of fraud: [28:04–29:46]
  • On charity status clarification: [30:22–30:55]
• Host’s Final Analysis & System Critique: [32:16–end]

Conclusion

This hard-hitting episode meticulously documents the disturbing gap between Stephanie Redlich’s public persona as a horse rescuer and the suffering, loss, and legal chaos attributed to her operations. Menzies’ thorough investigation brings in voices from advocacy, direct evidence, and Redlich herself—exposing systemic failures that continue to endanger animals, and leaving listeners with a clear message on accountability and reform in the rescue and animal welfare sectors.

For Further Reference:

• banhorseslaughter.com: Extensive evidence archive
• Ontario Animal Welfare Services: official website
• Rebel News for full episode and follow-up coverage