Police searching for horse molester

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (WSVN) -- Police are investigating an alarming case of abuse at Calder Race Track after one of its horses was found bleeding, and how it got that way is disturbing.

They race in an unpredictable sport, but what happened last week at Calder Race Course-- no one ever expected. "At this point we have evidence of sexual molestation with a horse, and we are having that evidence examined at this point," explained Miami Gardens Police Capt. Ralph Suarez.

Police said someone targeted one of the horses that lives in the area known as the Backstretch and violated it with some kind of foreign object. A trainer starting work early that morning found the horse bleeding. Michelle Blanco, a spokesperson for Calder Race Course said, "Someone is here at 4 every morning. She noticed something was different."

About 1500 horses live in the Backstretch and Calder said they have nonstop security, but so far no one has been arrested.

Jeanette Jordan of the South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was horrified by the news. "I am sure that the people who run Calder are just as outraged at what happened on their property," she said.

It's known as the sport of kings, and police say whoever did this will catch a royal punishment. "It can result in felony charges for the person or persons involved in this crime," Suarez said.

There is a bit of good news to pass along. Calder is reporting that the horse is now doing just fine.

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