MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A South Florida man is accused of stealing a horse from a southwest Miami-Dade County farm and beating the stallion, police said.
Elpidio Prieto faces charges of grand theft and animal cruelty.
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According to a Miami-Dade police report, a witness saw Prieto beating and riding a horse on Southwest 177th Avenue near Southwest 184th Street and called police.
A detective spotted Prieto riding the horse and stopped him for questioning.
When asked if he owned the horse, Prieto angrily said, "No," but then changed his answer, the report said.
"The horse appeared thin and its front left leg was lame," the report said. "The horse had multiple ropes secured around its mouth and neck, causing it to endure great discomfort and a saddle sore on its back."
Police said a man came forward to report that Prieto stole the horse, valued at $2,000, from his farm.