15 Horses Stolen from Highway Farm; Grisly Video shows animal abuse

Police have detained three teenagers—aged 19, 17, and 16—in connection with the theft of 15 horses from a farm north of Ladyville and the brutal attack on at least one of the animals. The shocking case has drawn national attention following the circulation of a graphic video showing a defenseless horse being chopped with a machete.

Tour operator Joshua Trapp, the owner of the horses, reported that the animals were stolen from his property while he was away from home on the morning of the incident. He said he left around 9:00 a.m., and upon returning later that evening, discovered that all 15 of his horses had disappeared.

Search efforts in the surrounding area led to the recovery of seven horses, which were found tied up near some trees. However, eight horses are still missing.

The case took a turn when a viral video surfaced, allegedly showing gang members, swinging a machete at a horse’s head. The disturbing footage sparked public outrage, with many calling for justice and stronger animal protection laws.

The Belize Police Department responded swiftly to the incident, issuing a firm statement:

“The Belize Police Department has been furnished with a video depicting a group of young men inflicting chop wounds to the head of a defenseless horse. We condemn this kind of action in the strongest terms. As a society, we must stand together against all forms of abuse, including those where animals are concerned. The police department is taking this matter very seriously and assures the general public that we will do all within our power to hold those responsible to justice.”

All three teenagers seen in the video have since been detained by authorities and are expected to face criminal charges related to animal cruelty and theft.

The investigation is ongoing as police continue to search for the remaining eight missing horses.

The incident has reignited national conversations about animal welfare, youth violence, and the urgent need for community-driven solutions to prevent future acts of cruelty.