Illegal Slaughterhouse Abandoned Amid Animal Cruelty Investigation

An alleged illegal slaughterhouse in Brooksville, Florida, is at the center of an animal cruelty investigation and has now been abandoned. The property, located on Vicki Lane, was exposed after animal activists shared a harrowing video of a former racehorse being butchered for its meat.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s office has come under fire for allegedly failing to act promptly. Animal activists and the Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) accused the sheriff’s office of not taking swift action to shut down the slaughterhouse. Most of the animals were removed from the property overnight after the story broke on FOX 13.

Investigations into the property began in May, and FOX 13 first reported the case last Tuesday night. Upon revisiting the site on Monday, they discovered animal remains, multiple kill sites, and a few abandoned birds and baby chicks. The Hernando County Sheriff’s office collected the remaining animals, including five small pigs, a dog, several roosters, and chickens. Sadly, one dead pig was also found on the premises.

ARM, which had been investigating the Ortiz family, who allegedly ran the slaughterhouse, since 2022, planned to rescue the remaining animals and transport them to their sanctuary. However, by the time ARM arrived, the sheriff’s office had already removed the animals. This swift action followed a press release from ARM announcing their rescue plans. Protesters had gathered at the property on Sunday and noted the disappearance of the animals. Richard ‘Kudo’ Couto, an ARM investigator, criticized the sheriff’s office for not acting quickly enough, particularly regarding the killing of the racehorse, Funny Biz, in November 2023.

The property owner, who chose to remain anonymous, stated he had made multiple complaints to the sheriff’s office about the Ortiz family’s activities in 2023. Couto condemned the sheriff’s office for inaction despite receiving evidence of animal torture from both the property owner and ARM.

Please sign this petition to demand justice for dozens of animals who were imprisoned, raped, and abused!

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• Eighteen People on Trial For Running Giant Illegal Horse Meat Trading Network
• Gang Sells Horse Meat Disguised as Beef

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