Slaughtered horse found on dirt road

WEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A horse was found mutilated and dumped on a dirt road.

The horse was discovered along Northwest 137th Avenue and 178th Street, near Okeechobee Road, Wednesday.

Miami-Dade Police investigators, along with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, came out to the area to investigate an animal abuse claim.

While they were at the scene of the claim, they found some suspicious bags that appeared to be filled with something. Flies were surrounding the bags.

The investigators discovered horse bones, and Richard Couto of the Animal Recovery Mission was called out to the scene.

Couto works with the authorities to try and solve horse slaughtering crimes.

In addition to the bones, Couto also found the head of a horse, a bridle and horse hooves with the shoes still attached. "This is a shoe that racehorses wear, and you can see under here the Thoroughbred trademark," Couto said, "so this was a racehorse."

It appears that there was a bullet hole at the top of the slaughtered horse's head, something that is unusual. Usually, a knife is used to slaughter the horse.

Once he is finished, Couto will pass on his findings to the State Attorney's Office.

Couto believes the killed horse was relatively young. Investigators believe the horse remains had been out on the road for about a week.

If you have any information on this horse slaughter, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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