There is an alarming trend in South Florida that you all may not be aware of. Horses are being stolen and then later found slaughtered. This is my story. Last Friday February 27th my horse Geronimo, a beautiful painted quarter horse, was stolen from his pasture. One of the neighbors said that the last time they saw him was that morning around 7am. A police report was filed with Metro Dade Police Agriculture Patrol. The the officer who wrote the police report told me that he didn’t want to alarm me but the horses are being stolen for their meat, needless to say I was alarmed and in disbelief.
Sadly to say my horse was found on March 5th in the field across from where he was last seen, 2-300 yards inward, he had been tied to a palm tree and slaughtered right there. You can just imagine my dismay, Geronimo was my pride and joy and my dear companion. It was difficult to find him because his body was covered with palm frowns. It wasn’t until someone stumbled on his head that he was found. Jeff Burnside from Channel 6 NBC, interviewed me earlier that morning and we wanted to make sure this was made public, in the hopes that I could have him returned to me safe and sound. Later that day he met me again on the sight where Geronimo was found. He met officers of the Ag Patrol as well as Richard Couto from the South Florida SPCA. This is something that needs to be stopped, my horse was very well taken care of and I loved him dearly, he was a member of the family. Please pass along this information to other horse and animal lovers. I don’t want his death to be in vain.
Ivonne Rodriguez
Miami Florida | 
