Nov 1, 2009 5:26 pm US/Eastern
Horse Killed, Butchered In Homestead
Search Underway For Killer or Killers
HOMESTEAD (CBS4) ―
The search is underway for the person or people who killed and butchered a mare in Homestead. The remains of the horse were discovered Saturday in what the SPCA described as a 'gruesome'. No suspects have been named as the investigation begins.
Saturday's discovery is just the latest in a series of horse killings across South Florida in 2009. The incident marks the 21st reported case this year. While some arrests have been made, there's still a demand for horse meat in the black market, Miami-Dade police officials have said.
Richard Cuoto of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the horse was found in multiple parts at SW 207th Ave and 195th Street.
"She's a three- to four-year-old thoroughbred, you know, a baby, literally in pieces," Cuoto said. Cuoto warns all horse owners to employ certain safety measures.
"If you're having barn watches in your communities, keep them going," he said. "If you have security lighting security cameras, if you're bolt locking your gates at night, keep doing that. The problem is not going to go away."
Police have since made four arrests in previous horse slaughter cases.
The Miami Herald reported that earlier this month police arrested two men for allegedly receiving $5 per pound for butchered horse meat.
In early October, officers arrested Roberto Aguedo Chavez, 53, the owner of the ranch at 19890 SW 180th Street and a worker Ricardo Olivarez, 45.
In mid-September, Miami-Dade police arrested two teens and charged them with armed burglary, animal cruelty, killing a registered breed horse and breaking or injuring a fence.
They arrested Santiago Cabrera, 19, who police say confessed to the crime and 18-year-old Luis Miguel Cordero on similar charges.
(© MMIX CBS Television Stations. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report)
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