Investigations into a series of horse poaching incidents in Florida expanded again on Wednesday when a horse was discovered dead in the paddock of a Miami Gardens ranch.

The incident is the latest among at least 20 similar horse killings in Florida since January. More than 17 unresolved cases remain under investigation by Miami-Dade County police, as well as another two in nearby Miramar.

The Miami Gardens ranch owner called police Wednesday morning after finding cut locks on the gate into the property and the dead horse lying on its side in the paddock. The horse’s throat had been cut, and its front legs and intestines removed, said Miami Gardens Police Sgt. Bill Bamford. None of the other 21 horses stabled at the ranch were injured.

“We believe this horse was taken for its meat,” he said

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