Law enforcement authorities in Florida are investigating circumstances surrounding the death of a Miniature horse discovered butchered in Northwest Miami-Dade County, Fla.

The incident is the latest in a series of slayings involving horses apparently slaughtered for their meat. Since 2009 the butchered remains of more than 20 horses have been discovered in Miami-Dade County. More recently, on Dec. 26, Miami-Dade County Police Department, police personnel discovered a dismembered horse which appeared to have been slaughtered at another location before it’s remains were discarded near the canal.

Miami-Dade County Police Department Public Information Officer Det. Edna Del Castillo said that on Feb. 20 a police officer discovered the miniature horse’s remains during a routine patrol in an area of Northwest Miami-Dade known as the C-9 Basin.

"The horse was found slaughtered and its legs had been cut off," Del Castillo said. "There is an investigation underway at this time