Man admits killing horses for meat

MIAMI, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- A South Florida man admitted Wednesday he stole horses from farms and slaughtered them for meat.

Santiago Cabrera, 20, could have received a life sentence if he had been convicted at trial, The Miami Herald reported. He faces up to five years in prison under his plea agreement when he is sentenced in December.

Investigators said Cabrera and a confederate killed several animals from farms in northern Dade County last year. They said some of the horses were still alive when the pair began butchering them.

More than 20 horses were found dead and missing significant parts in South Florida in 2009, suggesting a growing trade in illegal horse meat.