May 6th 2011@5:20pm ( slaughtered horses… abc documentary continued page 2)


Page 2 of 3

Sept. 9, 2009




Illegal Horse Slaughters ‘Alive and Well’ in Miami


With no suspect yet arrested, the motive for the killings has not been confirmed, but Karen Gustinger, a local horse lover and member of the Homestead Rodeo Association, is convinced the horses are being sold on the black market for meat.


“It’s solely profit-driven. There’s a black market down here for horse meat. My understanding is it’s selling for $20 per pound and it ranges from people eating horse meat in other cultures to the rumor of horse meat being a miraculous medical discovery that cures all ailments.”


Couto says the meat is definitely being harvested on the black market and for even higher than $20 per pound.


“The reason we know it’s becoming an issue is that there are people living in rural areas who are having people drive up to them at their homes or on the street and asking if they want to buy horse meat… There are reports from a few of the law enforcement agencies out of Broward County saying the meat’s going for up to $40 per pound,” Couto said.


“Many people in the U.S. think horse slaughtering is only being done in Mexico and Canada…..slaughter and the black market trade is alive and well in Miami,” he added.


According to Couto, some local ethnic groups believe that eating the horse meat is a cure-all.


“Miami-Dade is a melting pot and there are a lot of cultures here where it’s OK to eat horse meat… Some nationalities think it helps with some ailments. They think that AIDS patients will be cured and will recover quicker if they eat horse meat. This is not true,” Couto said.

Not only is the horse meat not a wonder drug like some falsely believe, but the meat being harvested is contaminated.


“These horses are being seen by vets on a monthly basis. Tranquilizers and even just a basic fly spray all are labeled not to be used on animals to be used in the food chain. People are spending a lot of money on contaminated meat that’s going to make them sick,” said Couto.



Miami-Dade Not Just a Beach Community


Though most think of palm trees and night clubs when they think of Miami, Couto paints a different picture.


“Miami-Dade isn’t only about the beach and the sand,” said Couto. “The majority of Miami is more in rural areas and our horse population is extremely high. It’s the second most populated horse state in the country. It’s horse country,” he added.


Gustinger said local horse owners have taken up arms to protect their beloved pets.


“The horse community is getting edgy and very upset,” Gustinger told ABC News. “We’ve started community watches, people are patrolling their yards with guns to the point where some of the horse owners are looking forward to it. They’re starting to hunt these people… they want it stopped,” she added.


“The fear that is in place right now for anyone that owns a horse in South Florida… people are having a hard time sleeping, worried that when they wake up in the morning they’ll find a massacre in their barn,” Couto said.


The Humane Society Society of the United States is offering a reward of $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these horrific acts.


“If the meat is being sold for consumption, that would be in violation of federal law,” the Human Society’s Dane told ABC News.














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perrichiss

10:50 PM EDT
Sep 10, 2009

All the above comments say what I feel having read them. I feel so helpless. When this happens , sometimes we just wallow in it all. But, deep down in my heart, I know that there are many folks who are crying and hurtingover this brutal slaughter. I for one hope some one will lead the way to bring those guilty to jail. As a horse owner,I want to do what ever is helpful. Perhaps the worst thing for us , who care, is to do absolutely nothing toward helping this cause.



oonogil2

10:46 PM EDT
Sep 10, 2009

lastdropofcommonsence. — Most of us detest inhumane slaughter of any animal. It can and should be done as quickly and painlessly as possible. I lived most of my life in Texas where it’s legal to use deadly force to protect your property. No problem with that so if you want to shoot a thief, I loan you a gun. …. I love and respect all life but I also understand that in order for anything to live, something else must die. Laws that treat certain animals differently are ususlly based on emotion, not on logic. A beloved pet lamb is not suitable for consumption. A sheep raised commercially is. A horse, cow, pig or any other animal is the same. A cat at your house may be a pet. A cat damaging my property is a pest. It all depends on the context. These people are stealing animals and slaughtering them inhumanely. The fact that it’s a horse is of little consequence. A calf raised by a child can be just as loved by that child but laws see it differently than they would a horse. Why?



lastdropofcommonsence

8:25 PM EDT
Sep 10, 2009

When I read the comments here I am frequently baffled by the logic people apply. People who would scream their heads off it their car was stolen see no big issue in the killing (therefore theft) of these horses because, in other parts of the world, people eat horse meat. Huh? Even if you don’t care about the inhumane actions, think about the theft angle and the simple fact that they are breaking the law. Still not bothered? Then think about the fact that there are people who are able to cut the legs off a horse before they kill it walking around in our society and that what YOU own might be what they want next.


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