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Champion show horse slaughtered and butchered on Florida farm Champion show horse slaughtered and butchered on Florida farm
(about 2 hours later)
Manatee County detectives said they were searching for the person or people who slaughtered and butchered a 12-year-old prize show jumping horse on a farm in Palmetto.Manatee County detectives said they were searching for the person or people who slaughtered and butchered a 12-year-old prize show jumping horse on a farm in Palmetto.
The Bradenton Herald reports that the 1,300lbs animal was led from his stall at Imperial Farms by someone between 8.30pm on Saturday and 6.45am on Sunday, and then taken to a pen in the back of the 27-acre farm, where he was killed and expertly butchered.The Bradenton Herald reports that the 1,300lbs animal was led from his stall at Imperial Farms by someone between 8.30pm on Saturday and 6.45am on Sunday, and then taken to a pen in the back of the 27-acre farm, where he was killed and expertly butchered.
The horse’s name was Phedras de Blondel. The horse’s name was Phedras de Blondel, said Dave Bristow, a spokesman for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said they believed the perpetrator was someone who wanted horse meat, knew the farm had horses and took Phedras because he was a big, heavy horse.Investigators said they believed the perpetrator was someone who wanted horse meat, knew the farm had horses and took Phedras because he was a big, heavy horse.
Officials said that when the horse was found in the back pen, his legs were gone, with essentially just his head and neck intact.Officials said that when the horse was found in the back pen, his legs were gone, with essentially just his head and neck intact.
“It could be the suspects scoped out this ranch,” Bristow said. The ranch is not far from the interstate.
It is not the first time a show horse has been targeted for its meat in Florida. In July, animal rescue officials said a competitive show horse named Smart Amanda Whiz was slaughtered for its meat in Hialeah.
Earlier this month, officials in Palm Beach County raided three slaughterhouses accused of illegally selling horse meat.