Police: Show horse slain for meat in Florida
PALMETTO, FLORIDA -- The remains of a 12-year old award winning show jumper horse by the name of Phedras de Blondel were found early Sunday morning on a farm in Palmetto, a Manatee County town about 50 miles south of Tampa, CBS Miami reports.
Manatee County detectives said the 1,300-pound animal was led from his stall at the 27-acre Imperial Farms between 8:30 p.m. Saturday and 6:45 a.m. Sunday. Phedras de Blondel was then taken to a pen in the back of the farm, where it was killed and expertly butchered.
Investigators say they believe the perpetrator was someone who wanted horse meat and knew that the farm had horses. They believe Phedras was chosen because the animal was big and heavy, according to the station.
The case comes days after two South Florida bodybuilders were arrested for alleged animal abuse, reports the Miami Herald.
Three starving horses were allegedly found on a ranch near Miami owned by Milagros Cowan, 50, and her husband, Alex Paez, 48.
The couple was charged with four misdemeanor counts of animal abuse. They were reportedly also arrested on similar charges four years ago.