Keeping Florida Horses Safe

08/08/2026

MISSING/STOLEN HORSE — COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE REQUESTED

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating a missing American Paint Horse believed to have been stolen from its owner’s pasture in Port St. Lucie, FL.

Horse: Strait from Above
Breed: American Paint Horse
Color/Pattern: Black and white Tovero stallion
Age: 2 years old
Foaling Date: May 18, 2024
Registration #: 01206069

Distinctive Features:White forelock and mane Black and white tail hair Pinto coat with distinctive black and white spots

📍 Last Known Location: 12801 Williams Road, Port St. Lucie, FL

🕒 Last Seen: August 2, 2026, at approximately 3:00 p.m.

We are asking residents, property owners, horse enthusiasts, agricultural communities, and anyone who may have seen or been offered a horse matching this description to take a close look at the identifying information and report any potential sightings or information to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office at (772) 462-7300 or submit a tip by email at [email protected].

Every detail could help bring Strait from Above home safely. Please share this alert.

12/23/2025

A highly infectious horse disease has spread to Tampa Bay. Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 is a virus among horses that can cause respiratory illness, abortion in pregnant mares, and in severe cases, neurological disease. http://specne.ws/yDnhmq

12/19/2025

Florida authorities have arrested a man in connection to a report of four horses taken from a property in Osteen last week. Here's what we know 🔗⬇️

12/19/2025

For years, horses were suffering quietly behind closed doors. In 2025, Florida finally decided that had to stop.

The state passed a new law aimed at shutting down the illegal horse meat market, targeting underground operations that exploited horses for profit while avoiding oversight. Many of these animals were stolen, neglected, or sold without proper records, ending up in cruel and unsafe conditions.

Horses are not meant to be trafficked in secrecy. They are companions, working partners, and animals many people grow up loving. This law acknowledges that reality and draws a clear line against abuse.

Officials say the legislation gives law enforcement stronger tools to investigate illegal networks, protect vulnerable horses, and hold offenders accountable.

Animal advocates are calling it a long overdue step forward. It may not fix everything overnight, but for many horses, this law could mean safety, dignity, and a future free from suffering.

Reference:
WPBF News... Florida new bill targets thriving illegal horse meat market
The Horse... Florida Anti-Slaughter Bill Becomes Law
Congress... Horse Slaughter Prevention Bills and Issues

12/18/2025

Fantastic News!!!

GOOD NEWS: 2 of the 4 horses stolen from Osteen last week have been recovered in South Florida.

Thanks to diligent police work, great use of technology and a lot of help from our partner agencies, we're reuniting these horses with their owners, and we have a suspect in custody.

Lazaro Benitez Guzman, 26, is currently charged with grand theft and dealing in stolen property. He was arrested in Hialeah, where the active investigation led VSO detectives and Florida Department of Agriculture agents.

This investigation is continuing as we speak, and everyone's working hard to recover the other 2 horses that were stolen.

In addition to the Volusia Sheriff's Office and Department of Agriculture, FDLE, Florida Highway Patrol, Town of Davie Police Department, and Miami Dade Sheriff’s Office have been instrumental in this investigation.

Also of note, the defendant was found to be an illegal alien from Cuba. An ICE/HSI detainer has been placed on him in addition to his criminal charges.

We will share more updates as they become available!

11/27/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ShYkBUs35/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🚨INTAKE ALERT🚨 This mare was picked up late early evening yesterday for Miami Dade Ag Patrol on SW 136 st & 204 ave in the east Everglades in SW Miami Dade. If she is yours or you know who owns her please call Ag Patrol at 786 218-8344
As ways, Please share to help her get home

11/22/2025

https://www.wcjb.com/2025/11/20/florida-issues-horse-health-alert-after-texas-viral-outbreak/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAON4odleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeeJa-7NqHKxtSIZ_9_4l3nOPIGrXo_Z5ztdL8itmHzArEBBK2TKo8v6EQoXE_aem_4hklpCRqoTTxS1I8mBDEdQ

Florida Agriculture Department warns horse owners to quarantine animals that attended Texas events