Florida police are investigating the deaths of 17 horses in the Miami-Dade area of the state, as the numbers of horses being found killed and butchered grow. Authorities believe the animals are slaughtered to provide meat on the black market.
The first reported case was on Jan. 11. Horses are being found on or near fields in which they live. Their carcasses have shown signs of being butchered for meat.
South Florida SPCA officials are working with local authorities and other agencies to address the serious issue, and the Humane Society of the United States has offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Police speculate the incidents are connected to an illegal horsemeat market in Florida. Technically, it’s not illegal to sell horsemeat in Florida, as long as it passes U.S. Department of Agriculture food safety inspection, said John Fruin, DVM, PhD, of the Florida Department of Agriculture.
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“You’d have to import it from an inspected, recognized source,” he explained.
Imported horsemeat would be subject to U.S. Customs and USDA inspections—but USDA horsemeat inspections were halted in 2007 when horse-processing plants in Texas and Illinois closed.
If caught, the poachers could face burglary and animal cruelty charges, according to police reports. As their investigations continue, Miami-Dade County Police are asking anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS, or visit the Crime Stoppers website.
