Manatee County deputies are investigating a bizarre and disturbing killing of a prized horse.
The incident occurred sometime overnight at a stable along Moccasin Wallow Road in Palmetto.
Deputies say someone pulled an equestrian jumping horse out of its stable and slaughtered it.
Owners found what was left of the carcass Sunday morning. There are very few clues about suspects at this point.
“At this point it appears that it was done to get the horse meat. Again, we're not gonna have tunnel vision here, we're going to investigate everything, but there have been some cases around the state where horses of been slaughtered for horse meat,” said Dave Bristow, Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators believe more than one person was involved with the slaughter. If you have any information, call the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.