A horse was found butchered in Miami-Dade County near the corner of Northwest 131st Ave and 182nd Street. A tougher law was passed by the Florida’s Governor aimed to target the black-market trade. Police have started investigations into the case and are trying to find the culprits.

Police also located a blood-spattered van several blocks away. It appears that horse meat was stored in coolers and intended for sale. This is latest in a series of animal deaths that have taken place across Florida. This has shocked a lot of people and animal welfare advocates.

Police are under a lot of pressure to take swift action and find the people responsible for this. A lucrative black market exists for horse meat and the meat can fetch up to $US20 a pound. Most of the demand for horse meat is from the large Cuban population living in the Miami-Dade county.

The remains of the dead animals are often dumped on the rural roadsides in the county. A law has already been passed in Florida which outlaws the transport, buying, owning and distribution of horse meat for human consumption.

There are no slaughter houses in the US which are licensed to slaughter horses for human consumption. The new law will be effective from July 1. Anyone found violating it will receive a one-year prison term and a $US3500 fine.