Authorities searching for horse slaughter suspects

SOUTHWEST RANCHES, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police are searching for those responsible for a brutal horse slaughter.

Marcos the horse was injured and set to be euthanized, but David Parga offered to take in Marcos and another horse as his pets. "We never had horses before, but they really became part of the family," said Parga.

Marcos' life ended last Friday when he was led out of his pen, then down a secluded path where he was butchered.

Richard Couto is an animal activist who investigates cases of abuse. He runs an organization called Animal Recovery Mission. "What they did was they tied up a lane here, and then they probably had a halter on the horse with a couple other lines wrapped around its neck, and punctured him in the heart or slashed his throat and just let him bleed out," said Couto.

Marcos' remains were discovered by a worker Saturday evening. Police informed Parga that Marcos was butchered for his meat. "This is something that I've never even thought or dealt with, and when I found out, it just hit me like a sledge hammer. I don't know how to deal with it," said Parga.

In Miramar, two horses were butchered, but this is the first case ever in the Southwest Ranches area. "We are determined to make it the only time that happens in Southwest Ranches. We haven't seen this before, and we are really not going to tolerate it," said Jim Leljedal, spokesperson for the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Parga plans to add locks and lights to the gate to make sure the same thing does not happen to his other horse. "Honestly, I think they are inhumane, evil maybe," said Parga.

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.

(Copyright 2012 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)