Florida homeowner finds expensive show horse slaughtered

– An expensive show horse was slaughtered over the weekend in Manatee County, deputies said. Six slaughter house owners and employees were arrested, and charged with causing cruel death to conservation animals, torment, deprivation, mutilation or killing or conservation animals as well as selling, buying and possession of horse meat. “I don’t mean at the knee, I mean from his shoulder”, Stephens said.

The horse’s name was Phedras de Blondel.

Investigators say they believe the perpetrator was someone who wanted horse meat, knew the farm had horses and took Phedras because he was a big, heavy horse.

Since 2009, more than 50 Florida horses have been butchered. In 2010, Florida lawmakers passed legislation making it illegal to for anyone to slaughter a horse to obtain its meat.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has not named any suspects. “The horse had been stolen in the night from its stall that’s attached to the home (the owner) was sleeping in”. He is also talking to neighbors about ways to beef up security in the area.

Meanwhile, the probe into the incident is ongoing, Bristow said.

Deputies are investigating. If you have any information about this, please call MCSO at 941-747-3011 or Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.