Esteban and Arturo
Esteban and Arturo arrived at Tamerlaine Sanctuary & Preserve carrying the invisible weight so many rescued farmed animals bear: fear, uncertainty, and the memory of a world that had failed them.
Their journey to sanctuary began after Humane Long Island contacted Tamerlaine about a devastating cruelty case connected to a backyard slaughter operation in Riverhead, New York. The property belonged to Carlos Lauro, who operated what was described as a small “organic” slaughterhouse until his arrest in 2024 on charges related to the fatal shooting of dogs and widespread animal cruelty. Authorities and investigators uncovered horrific conditions on the property: frightened animals living among decomposing bodies, skeletal remains scattered across the land, and surviving animals deprived of proper food, water, safety, and veterinary care.
Among the many survivors rescued from this nightmare were Esteban and Arturo.
When they first arrived at Tamerlaine, they were understandably wary of people and unsure of their surroundings. Animals rescued from slaughter operations often learn very quickly that humans represent fear, confinement, and danger. Their bodies may survive, but their trust does not come back overnight.
At first, Esteban and Arturo huddled together for protection and kept their distance from humans. Every new sound startled them. Every unfamiliar interaction was approached cautiously. But sanctuary offers something these animals have almost never experienced before: time, patience, safety, and the freedom to simply exist without exploitation.
Slowly, they began to change.
They discovered green pastures instead of barren confinement. Gentle caregivers instead of violence. Herd companionship instead of isolation and fear. They began forming bonds with the other rescued cows at the sanctuary and, little by little, their personalities emerged.
Today, Esteban and Arturo are thriving members of the Tamerlaine family. They spend their days grazing peacefully, resting in the sun, exploring their surroundings, and enjoying the comfort of herd life, the very things every cow deserves but so few are ever allowed to experience. The fear that once defined them has gradually been replaced by curiosity, confidence, and moments of joy.
Their story also reveals a much larger truth about the systems that trap animals.
But Esteban and Arturo’s story is not ultimately one of cruelty. It is a story about rescue. About what becomes possible when animals are finally given the chance to live instead of die.
At Tamerlaine Sanctuary & Preserve, they are no longer commodities. They are no longer trapped within a system that viewed them only for profit. They are individuals with names, relationships, emotions, and the freedom to live out their lives surrounded by care and compassion. For visitors who meet them today, it can be difficult to imagine the suffering they survived. They now approach their caregivers with curiosity instead of fear. They rest peacefully among their herd family. They remind everyone who meets them that cows are deeply emotional, social beings who want the same things we all want: safety, companionship, comfort, and the chance to live. Esteban and Arturo were once destined for slaughter. Now, they are home.