Florida law enforcement is investigating the death of a horse discovered dismembered in a high-traffic area of Miami Gardens, Fla.

The incident is the latest in a string of horse butcherings that began in 2009. Since then, more than 50 horses have been butchered for their meat in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. In 2010, Florida lawmakers passed legislation making it illegal to for anyone to slaughter a horse to obtain its meat.

In 2012, the town of Southwest Ranches, Fla., enacted an ordinance that levies steep fines and other penalties on anyone who slaughters a horse for human consumption in that town. The law stemmed from the theft and slaughter of a horse belonging to a town resident.

Jeanette Jordan, executive director of the South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), said shortly after the carcass was discovered Aug. 7, the agency’s director of operations Laurie Waggoner responded to the scene at the request of the Miami Gardens Police Department