Horrific roadside discoveries over the past months of horses slaughtered in west Dade and Broward counties have prompted Gulfstream Park to contribute $5,000 to the reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

          In making the announcement, Gulfstream Park President and General Manager Bill Murphy said “This detestable act of cruelty, inflicted not only upon the horses but upon their owners as well, devastates the whole of South Florida’s equine community.”

          The killing and mutilation of horses has been on the rise in South Florida and authorities are investigating more than a dozen such instances since June. In all cases the horses appear to have been butchered for their meat, which can bring as much as $40 per pound on the black market.

          Buying and selling horse meat is illegal in South Florida.

          Receiving the contribution will be the Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers, a community action program that gives citizens the opportunity to get involved in the fight against crime. Callers can remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information leads to the apprehension and grand-jury conviction of a felony offender.

          Information can be provided Crime Stoppers by calling 305-471-8477 or by clicking the “Give a Tip” icon on the top left of the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimestoppersmiami.com. Crime Stoppers says phone calls are neither traced nor recorded and that its phone lines are not configured for Caller ID.

          The Miami-Dade County Crime Stoppers is a 501c3 program funded in part by the Crime Stoppers Trust Fund of the Attorney General’s office. Contributions to the reward fund can be made by sending a check or money order payable to Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers. Make sure to put “Reward, Horses” in the memo line. The contribution can then be mailed to Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers, 1030 NW 111 Ave., Miami, Fla. 33172-5800.