Florida law enforcement authorities are hoping the public can help identify whoever is responsible for stealing two horses from a Miami-Dade County ranch.

The Miami-Dade Police Department Agricultural Patrol Section said the horses were reported missing from their barn on a property in the C9 Basin/Okeechobee area on Sept. 20. In recent years the area has been associated with several thefts allegedly connected to the operation of illegal slaughter farms and horsemeat sales.

Investigators describe the missing animals as a chestnut Quarter Horse gelding with an “FD” brand on his front left shoulder and a palomino Quarter Horse gelding with a “SE” brand on his left hip.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and the South Florida Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are also investigating the incident.

Anyone with information about the thefts should call Detective J. Carmona at 305/252-8311 or an on-duty Agricultural Patrol Section detective at 786/218-8344.