May 6th 2011@5:28pm ( abc documentary on horses slaughtered in florida page 3)


Page 3 of 3

Sept. 9, 2009




“These are alarming events that we’re hoping the authorities will be able to stop and that they will be able to track down and find the perpetrators and prosecute them under state animal cruelty laws,” he added.




Losing ‘Family Members’ a Shock


Gustinger organized a rally last Saturday night at the Homestead Rodea Arena. It was her way of trying to involve not only the area’s horse owners, but the entire community to prevent any more unlawful horse killings.


“We’re trying to say as a community that this is not acceptable… this isn’t how we want to live,” Gustinger added. “We’re not turning a blind eye to this anymore because it just keeps happening.”


In addition to the shocking brutality of the deaths, Couto pointed out that losing horses has also been emotionally traumatic for the owners.

“These are our pets and they’re considered as mostly family members to these people,” he said.


Gustinger said, “We’re really looking to the community to solve this.”


Dane adds there are a few precautionary measures horse owners can take.


“If there are gates that are accessible to the road, put locks on them… Use flood lights where that’s feasible…Spot checks throughout the evening,” he said.


“One thing we don’t recommend is locking horses in barns because if there was a fire… If there is a community of horseowners they may want to set up taking turns monitoring the area.”


Anyone interested in learning more information on how you can help save the horses can go to Crime Stoppers of Miami-Dade. In addition, the SPCA of Southern Florida has its own Web site “Help the Horses.”


















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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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