Demonstration Demanding Justice For Slaughtered Horses Scheduled For 10 a.m., SEPT. 07, In Front of Miami Courthouse

HORSE OWNERS, HORSES AND ADVOCATES EXPECTED TO CROWD MIAMI COURTHOUSE

10 A M, TUESDAY, SEPT. 7TH
RICHARD GERSTEIN JUSTICE BUILDING
1351 NW 12TH ST, MIAMI

STATE REP. LUIS R. GARCIA, DISTRICT 107, PRIMARY SPONSOR OF FLORIDA’S NEW “HORSE PROTECTION ACT,” WILL JOIN DEMONSTRATION

(MIAMI-September 01, 2010)

Luis Cordero and Santiago Cabrera, the men arrested for stealing, slaughtering and butchering two of the dozens of Miami-Dade and Broward County horses killed recently are scheduled to appear in court for another pre-trial hearing.  Presiding is Judge Sara Zabel – Courtroom 2-3.  The case number is FO 9-30542 (A and B).

South Florida SPCA Horse Rescue (www.helpthehorses.org), South Florida Trail Riders (www.sftrdade.org), Animal Recovery Mission (www.animalrecoverymission.org), Ivonne Rodriguez, (www.geronimosneigh.homestead.com) and a host of concerned horse owners and advocates will be demonstrating in front of the Justice Building at 10 am.  Several determined horse owners are vowing to bring their horses.

State Representative Luis R. Garcia, District 107, explains why he is joining the demonstration and why he sponsored the new Horse Protection Act.  “I sponsored the “Ivonne Rodriguez and Victoria McCullough Horse Protection Act” to give law enforcement the tools they needed to properly pursue and punish those who kill and abuse Florida’s horses. As an animal lover, I could not sit back any longer and let the horrendous crime of illegal horse slaughter continue. You really cannot understand the true limits of human depravity until you have spoken with someone who has had their pet butchered alive for meat; it’s heart breaking.”

“It is my hope that the new harsh punishments, contained in the Horse Protection Act, will eliminate this crime in our state. If criminals want to steal and kill our horses, then the state will take their livelihoods and possibly their freedom,” said Representative Garcia.

Jeanette Jordan, president of South Florida SPCA Horse Rescue, states, “These crimes against beloved pets were gruesome and violent.  I witnessed firsthand the bloody aftermath.  The horses were butchered while still alive.  The fear and suffering these horses endured was beyond imaginable.  Cordero and Cabrera deserve to be punished to the full extent of the law.”

Manny Alvarez, president of South Florida Trail Riders, states, “We will send a loud, clear message to our Justice System and to horse slaughterers that we will not tolerate any but the harshest sanction of the law for anyone found guilty of harming our beloved horses. These are not just “animal” crimes, but crimes against the people who love their horses.”

Ivonne Rodriguez, whose beloved horse, Geronimo’s Neigh, was stolen, tied to a tree and brutally slaughtered in February 2009, also wants justice.  States Rodriguez, “I am not looking for vengeance.  I am looking for justice, not just for Geronimo, whose killers have yet to be found, but for all the other dozens of horses in our community who have been butchered.”  Ivonne’s advocacy led to the 2010 Ivonne Rodriguez Horse Protection Act.

Richard “Kudo” Couto, founder of Animal Recovery Mission, whose undercover work led to the discovery of the magnitude of the black-market horsemeat trade in South Florida is also looking for justice.  “I want the book thrown at Cordero and Cabrera.  They showed no mercy to their victims and they don’t deserve any from us.  Horses are still being butchered in our community. The last horse butchered that we know about was in May.  The most recent arrest was made July 20th.  No horse is safe until the perps are brought to justice and the horse slaughterers get the news that we’re serious about stopping them.”

The economic impact of horses in Florida cannot be overstated.  According to the most recent and comprehensive American Horse Council study, Florida ranks #3 (500,000 horses) in the nation for number of horses.  This study confirms that the Florida horse industry makes a very positive impact on our economy.  The Florida horse industry annually generates product valued at $2.2 billion, and has a total annual economic impact estimated at around $7 billion.  That translates to over 72,000 jobs for Floridians.  More than 70% of the 500,000 horses in Florida are used for recreational purposes.

The black market trade in horse flesh hurts this legitimate industry and the horsemen who support it.  IT MUST BE STOPPED!