MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A second horse was found dead Monday in southwest Miami-Dade, a day after another horse was found slaughtered.
The South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said the second horse carcass was found on Southwest 136th Street between 192nd Avenue and 193rd Avenue.
Laurie Waggoner of the South Florida SPCA said the horse was likely killed weeks ago. All that was left of it was a tail and bones.
"We're seeing the remains of a butchered horse -- a horse that was butchered probably a few weeks ago. It's probably a stolen horse," Waggoner said.
SPCA officials believe that the remains were that of a buckskin mare that was reported missing July 6.
The first horse carcass was found Sunday morning in the area of Southwest 187th Avenue and Southwest 180th Street.
SFSPCA ranch manager Dio Benitez said the horse was an older gray Paso Fino, which is a popular breed in South Florida.
"I couldn’t tell if it was male or female," Benitez said in a news release. "Only the head, skeleton and some intestines were left. Even its hide was gone."
Kathleen Monahan, the president of SFSPCA, said such incidents happen "all too often" in Miami-Dade County.
"Horse slaughter in South Florida is tragically common," Monahan said. "South Florida SPCA has a contractual relationship with Miami-Dade Animal Services. We work with the county to prevent all forms of horse abuse. We will continue our strong support of the Agricultural Police as they work to put a stop to this hideous practice."
The organization is urging horse owners to be extra vigilant with their animals and warned the public not to consume any horse meat because of its health hazards.
"These horses were probably butchered for their meat (and) their meat is highly toxic," Waggoner said.
Waggoner said the meat is toxic for people to eat because of the vaccines and medications that are given to the horses.
"It doesn't matter to the people that are selling the meat that it's toxic. All they care about is making a dollar," Waggoner said.
Anyone with information about either crime is asked to call the South Florida SPCA at 305-825-8826 or Miami-Dade County Police's Agricultural Unit at 786-218-8344.
BREAKING: @HelpTheHorses now on the scene of another #horse #carcass found in SW Miami Dade. pic.twitter.com/2uQsgfbmA7
— South Florida SPCA (@HelpTheHorses) August 1, 2016