CLEVELAND -- The USDA has fined LeRoy Baker $162, 800 for violations of animal safety regulations.

Baker owns the Sugarcreek livestock auction in the heart of Amish country. He's also a so-called "killer buyer" or middleman who buys and sells horses for human consumption overseas.

The federal government cited Baker for transporting horses that were injured or blind. Federal authorities also said Baker did nothing about horses that died during transport.

Federal officials said Baker has transported more than a thousand horses a year since 1985 to slaughter facilities in Texas and Mexico. 

Animal rights groups hailed the fines as a huge victory.

Chris Heyde of the Animal Welfare Institute in Washington D.C. said Baker "treats them (horses) like a commodity and he has been a poster child for the worst of the killer buyers."

Phone calls to Baker were not returned, but a few months ago, Baker told Channel 3 News he's in full compliance with the law and insists he's done nothing wrong.

Baker has petitioned the USDA to reconsider the fine, but a judge has ruled he must pay it by next month.

Baker is expected to continue challenging the penalty.