Animals - Channel 5 Belize

Deadly Bees and how to Handle Them

Earlier this week, tragedy struck Caye Caulker when a local resident, Japy Perez Senior, originally from Toledo, died after being attacked by a swarm of bees on a farm. Perez was working alongside others when the bees suddenly swarmed, stinging him multiple times. Sadly, he succumbed to the stings shortly after. With bees being particularly active this time of year, it’s crucial to know how to handle them. Today, News Five’s Britney Gordon shares tips on dealing with a bee swarm on your property. Here’s the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

It’s harvest season, and bees are buzzing around, busy making honey for their hives. While these little pollinators are crucial for Belize’s agriculture and honey industry, their stings can be dangerous, especially for those with allergies. Beekeeper Elise Vernon advises that the key to handling bees is to stay calm and avoid panicking when you encounter them.

Elise Vernon, Beekeeper

“ When you panic, you tend to wave your arms, and you tend to run away and you everything goes wrong when you panic. The thing that you should do is stay calm. Try not to make a lot of noise and try not to create a lot of sudden movements. Sudden movements tend to get them more aggressive. They get to be more angered, and that way they come out to you even more.”

Bees can nest in just about anything. Today, Elise was called in by her neighbor Kenroy Jex, who discovered bees in an old appliance in his yard.

Kenroy Jex, Homeowner

“I believe dey mi deh there like wa year. So I get the chopman fi chop the roadside for me, and he bring it to my attention. And I fi mi call Elise from then, but weh I have so much work to do with it slip my mind. So I finally tell her yesterday when Ih come ya. So she say she was come here two o’clock and take care of it fi me”

Jex does mechanical work on his property, so the constant flow of bees has been bothersome to deal with. He also worries about the safety of his animals.

Kenroy Jex

“Dog and cow. And horse. So the horse and the cow, they always come around, so you know what, they sting the house and the cow. So I have to make a least come and deal with ney.”

After suiting up, Vernon gathered her supplies to smoke out the bees. She explained that the smoke tricks the bees into thinking there’s a forest fire, shifting their focus from the person trying to remove them to the young bees at risk inside the hive. Vernon also emphasized that the best way to remove bees is by locating the queen.

Elise Vernon

“We look for the queen first. That is the most important thing because once the queen is in the box, the entire hive tends to follow. So that’s the most complicated thing, especially in harvest season because there can be up to eighty thousand bees in a box. And finding one queen in eighty thousand bees can be quite difficult. But she does look a little bit different, so I can find her, once I find her, I put her in the box in a secure area and I start removing whatever wax they have in there with honey, with pollen, whatever they have in there, I start to remove that and put it into the box as well. And then I leave the box there for the day and then I come back in the evening so that all the other bees that are out getting their pollen and honey, they can return home. And once I know that all the bees are in there for the night, I can move it to my farm.”

Vernon shared some helpful tips for those dealing with stings.

Elise Vernon

“So I get stung once or twice through the suit, but typically I don’t. But overall, if you do get stung, something that we tend to tell other people is to always keep a couple pills of charcoal on hand. Charcoal tends to help to pull out that toxin and relieve the pain that you’re experiencing. You can also take an antihistamine if you get stung.”

Vernon advises removing stingers from the body as they release pheromones. Alerting the hive of a potential threat.

Elise Vernon

“If they are chasing you, run in a straight line to the safest place. So if you have a car that you can run to that is enclosed, run to the car and drive away. If you can go into a house or a shelter and lock up, that’s fine as well. Never ever jump in a pond or a pool because if you go to the bottom and you think that they’re going to fly away and then you can come back up, you are wrong. They wait at the surface for you, and so you could be down there for five minutes and they will be right up there waiting for you.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Breaking Down the Culture of Animal Cruelty in Belize

Animal cruelty has been a major concern for Belizeans across the country. Recently, we’ve covered stories about neglected and abused horses and dogs being shot by police officers. But animal cruelty takes many forms and happens around us every day. In tonight’s edition of the Five-Point Breakdown, we examine the culture of animal cruelty in Belize and the laws that protect animals. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Less than a week ago, a shocking video showing a brutal attack on a horse with a machete went viral, causing widespread concern across the country. Following the incident, five people, including three minors, were charged with animal cruelty. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time such a crime has happened in Belize. Just this past January, a police officer was charged after a video of him repeatedly beating a dog circulated on social media. Animal cruelty occurs every day, but it’s rarely caught on camera or reported.

What is Animal cruelty?

Britney Gordon

Belize’s Cruelty to Animals Act outlines penalties for any person who refuses or neglects to provide and supply animals in their care with food and water, and any person who cruelly beats, ill-treats, over-drives, over-loads, or tortures animals. It even makes provisions for those mishandling animals or engaging in animal fighting, but what are these penalties?

The law allows police officers to arrest anyone violating its provisions without needing any other authority or warrant, so offenders can be brought before a magistrate and dealt with according to the law. Recently, Police Commissioner Chester Williams prosecuted the case against the five men accused of injuring the horse.

Penalties for Cruelty to Animals

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police (File: April 11^th, 2025)

“Under the law, the offense of the offense of cruelty to animal carries a imprisonment term of six months. And there is no provision there for a fine. Yes, we know that applying the legal principles that even though a fine is not there, the magistrate at trial if found guilty can still impose a fine or they can go at a custodial sentence depending on how they see the evidence and the different submissions that the different parties may make at that particular juncture.”

Animal abuse has become normalized in Belizean society. While most people don’t see themselves as abusers, many ignore the instances of cruelty happening around them every day. Dr. Jane Crawford, a veterinarian with nearly thirty years of experience, has treated dozens of animals hurt by humans.

The Normalization of Animal Abuse in Belize

Dr. Jane Crawford, Veterinarian, Animal Medical Center

“During my time working as a vet, we have had animals come in that were maybe chopped by machette. Maybe the neighbor has a grievance against a neighbor and they will take it out on the animal. So we would see quite a few cases of that. And I think we have to also know that cruelty is not only physical abuse, it’s also neglect that you just, you have your animal chain all the time and you don’t feed it on time. So all of that plays a part in in cruelty to animals.”

Crawford has seen a decline in severe cases of animal cruelty. However, every case is still heartbreaking to witness.

Dr. Jane Crawford

“We get animals that they have been thrown hot water on them. I had one particular case where somebody had forced the dog to eat a hot boiled egg. And so we got burns all inside the mouth and we get animals that are just thrown away. And then just kicked and hit. So you get fractures and broken bones and all of that.”

Across the country, several organizations are championing animal rights. These groups are made up of volunteers like Odessa Solis, who have devoted their lives to rehoming injured animals and strays and raising awareness about proper animal care. Solis believes the problem with many Belizeans is that they see animals as property, rather than living beings with needs and feelings.

Belizeans Step up to the Plate for Animal Rights

Odessa Solis, Animal Rescue Volunteer

“It’s been a hardship for us to experience now growing up in our community, looking at the neglect that the animals are going through and the abuse. And basically what I do to contribute to my community. I work along with my mom where she lives, there’s so many animals on the streets that are neglected and abused, and what we do is provide just a home, provide meals, water, any medical help and just basically assist them with whatever needs they need.”

Sheltering and feeding the fifteen animals currently under their care has become a costly endeavor for Solis and her mother, but they continue to reach out to the public for support as they attempt to rehome them. A tough part of the job is assisting animals that come from abusive or neglectful homes.

Odessa Solis

“Animals that are treated really badly do come with their downside, right? However, being the kind of person that me and my mom are, we’re very patient. We try to put ourselves in those situations to understand, you know?”

In the recent horse abuse case, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) stepped in to treat the injured animal. Zoe Roberson Zetina, BAHA’s Managing Director, emphasizes that BAHA advocates for the humane treatment of all animals, whether they are pets or work animals.

Zoe Roberson Zetina, Managing Director, BAHA

“We always believe in the humane treatment of animals, and so this is definitely something that we condemn and we condemn it in all its forms. We do take keen interest in animal welfare, but that is a component of BAHA that we have not properly developed. So there are different animal humane society and different agencies that look after this type of thing in a more detailed way than, BAHA does, but there is a component of animal welfare that we monitor and we condemn the actions. So that is a big part of why we will respond to all injuries that are reported to BAHA.”

Dealing with animals can be frustrating, and this often leads people to act violently. However, Dr. Jane Crawford advises pet owners to step away from the situation and return once they’ve calmed down. Odessa Solis explains that she will continue to help neglected or abused animals, but without full support from the public and police, there’s only so much she and other volunteers can do.

Ending Animal Cruelty in Belize

Odessa Solis

“I feel like those people that do these awful things they really have some issues to deal with. They need help personally. But at the same time, I would like for the government or even the police department to be aware that you do have citizens that need that help, that support from you guys because it’s sometimes it’s very hard to go to some neighborhoods and try to fight for these animals. And these people are very resistant to the assistance.”

Many animal rights activists hope that by continuing their efforts and speaking out, Belize will strengthen its penalties for animal cruelty and reduce the daily instances of abuse. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Five People Charged for Cruelty to Animals After Viral Video

A viral social media video showing several people brutally attacking a horse with a machete has sparked outrage. The public and animal rights activists quickly called for the arrest of those involved. Thankfully, the injured horse, named Oney, has been found and treated for his injuries. This afternoon, five people were formally arrested and charged with Cattle Theft, Cruelty to Animals, and Abetment to Commit Cruelty to Animals. Among them are twenty-year-old Raheem Herbert, nineteen-year-old Tyreek Straughn, and three minors, who were charged in the presence of their guardians. This shocking incident has led to calls for stricter animal cruelty laws. Recently, fifteen horses belonging to the tour guide Joshua Trapp were stolen from his ranch. While the police have recovered most of the horses, several were found in poor condition. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams explained the charges that can be brought against those who commit animal cruelty and assured the public that these cases are taken very seriously.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Nobody said yesterday that the penalty was a hundred dollars. Mr. Lopez asked that question and an answer was given, but the public seems have taken it to mean that we were saying that the penalty for the offense is only a hundred dollars, but no, under the law, the offense of the offense of cruelty to animal carries a imprisonment term of six months. And there is no provision there for a fine. Yes, we know that applying the legal principles that even though a fine is not there, the magistrate at trial if found guilty can still impose a fine or they can go at a custodial sentence depending on how they see the evidence and the different submissions that the different parties may make at that particular juncture. In addition to that, they’re also being charged with abatement to commit cruelty to animal. And under the law section twenty of the criminal code, it states that we are a person that abets to commit a crime if that person is found guilty and the crime, that the abate to commit actually occurred, then the penalty shall be just as if would be similar to the crime that they had abated to commit. So in this case, the abatement is going to carry another, um, six months imprisonment. And then we have cattle theft. Cattle theft is a more serious offense that carries the penalty up to. I think of the three, three to five years imprisonment. is something that is really outrageous. It’s of shock, the public sense, and the public conscience. And, I think that we must give it great priority again, as has been said by the Humane Society and even the ordinary Belizeean and who witness what happened. They’re saying that we need to do something that is going to send a strong signal. We have many animals out here that are owned by people and we must always ensure that we care for these animals and we show empathy towards them”

Malnourished Pets Falls Under Health & Other Agencies

Today, five youths accused of severely injuring a horse appeared in court. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams led the prosecution and objected to bail, citing the widespread nature of the crime. Despite this, the Magistrate granted bail at two thousand, five hundred dollars each. Williams informed reporters that the youths will face three charges. He also noted that agencies responsible for animal welfare, health, and protection will address issues like malnutrition, which has been a major concern among citizens regarding pet care.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The Police have charged those individuals with three counts, one count of cruelty to an animal, one count of abetment to commit cruelty to an animal, and one count of cattle theft.”

Reporter

“Based on this case, I think people were pointing out from way before the fact that a lot of youth are roaming around the city with these horses that look malnourished. Is that something that authorities would look into, including the police, because you’re the ones who bring the charges and I know that the care of animals factor under the Cruelty to Animals Act.”

Chester Williams

“That is not going to be something the police will be able to look at. It will fall more within the domain of health authorities, perhaps maybe even BAHA and I know that they do have a humane society that operates within Belize. I think they can pull their resources together and see what can be done to address those issues. I know for a fact that while we do have these young people who may move around the city on these horses, I think for the most part they, they do show a great degree of love towards these animals. So perhaps it can just be that they don’t have the means to properly care for them. And I think when we experience those circumstances, then the wider society should see what they can do to assist these young men in caring for the horses. Again, I think that if they have a pet – I would still refer to a horse as a pet – if it is that you can show care and empathy towards an animal, that also assists you in terms of your upbringing.”

Citizens Demand Stricter Penalties for Animal Abuse

Public outrage over the brutal attack on a horse by three youths has spilled from social media into the streets. News Five spoke with several people who expressed their disgust and called for stricter penalties and better enforcement. Many citizens criticized the current laws, which only impose a maximum fine of one hundred dollars. On Thursday, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams mentioned that the youths face other charges that could lead to prison sentences of six months or more. Meanwhile, a petition on Change.org by concerned citizen Liz S has gathered over two thousand signatures, urging authorities to take immediate action to protect animals like dogs, cats, and horses from neglect and abuse. The petition calls for tougher laws and penalties for animal cruelty, better enforcement of animal ownership regulations, and educational programs to promote compassion and responsibility. Here are some of the views shared by Belizeans in downtown Belize City earlier today.

Lawrence Vernon, Concerned Citizen

“It’s most disgraceful for the country of Belize. We are supposed to be compassionate people and not even our own human beings are we are being compassionate with and now we are extending it to animals. It’s a big black eye for the country. The poor animals can’t think for themselves and you’re going to abuse just for nothing? I think that’s most disgraceful. Quite a few of the laws need to be revised and looking at this one of a hundred dollars to chop up a horse, that’s ridiculous. I think definitely, the government or the politicians should look into it and address it.”

Gloria Fritz, Concerned Citizen

“I think its cruel and I think that human beings are a little bit higher than animals because they communicate different from us so an animal is like a person. You need to treat them good and they can be faithful friends and they are reliable.”

Marion Ali

“So when people abuse them, what should happen to these people?”

Gloria Fritz

“They should receive some kind of punishment.”

Marion Ali

“Is a hundred-dollar fine punishment in your eyes?”

Gloria Fritz

“No. No, it should be more severe.”

Jose Uc Espat, Activist

“In 2019 I had rescued a horse that was left for dead. Ms Chandra Nisbet had contacted me and the horse was right in front of her mom’s house. We rescued the horse. I brought the horse back from almost death’s door and I don’t know if it was the kids that had the horse came into my yard and chopped the horse on the back and the forehead just the way these guys chopped this one. Myself and Ms Rudon have been trying to advocate – because I’m the one they have as the Humane Society’s horse expert. We can no longer have hundred-dollar fines or anyone that abuses animals. We have to have some jail time or we have to have some public whipping. Whip them in public, the same way they abuse animals, we have to have them feel that pain because this is no joke.”

Voice of: Concerned Citizen

“It’s totally disgraceful because dehn animal can’t talk fi dehnself and we as human beings should share the love of God. Nuh di abuse up animals cause that nuh me no sense. What can an animal do to you – actually a horse, what can he or she do to you? So they should get the full extent of the law for abusing a dumb animal.”

Marion Ali

The full extent of the law at this point is a hundred-dollar fine.”

Voice of: Concerned Citizen

“That’s too lenient.”

Connie Hyde, Concerned Citizen

“I felt it’s wrong because the horse nuh have no sense and what can a horse do to a person that they going to hurt him? So what do you feel ought to be done now that they have done this to the animal? The police have charged them and by the current law, the fine will be a hundred dollars each. Jail, fine and community service, all three.”

Anthony Chan, Concerned Citizen

“I have dogs myself and I love my dogs and when I see stuff like that ih mek I feel bad.”

Marion Ali

“What do you think about the penalty though – a hundred-dollar fine for abusing an animal that severely?”

Anthony Chan

“That’s not fair. Ih need fi be more than that.”

Marion Ali

“What do you recommend.”

Anthony Chan

“Maybe time in jail.”

Jose Uc Mena, Concerned Citizen

“Some of the people think that they are animals and we could work them, we could lash them, we could hurt them, but they don’t realize that they have feelings like we. Apart from that, that animal help we in our life, in our work. Horses, donkeys, all the animals – we use to make our work easier. So we have to educate our children from small. They have to respect all the living animals or plants.”

Oney in Recovery After Brutal Attack by Teenagers

Today has been upsetting for animal lovers and concerned Belizeans. A shocking video surfaced on Facebook, showing three teenagers brutally attacking a horse named Oney. The video, which has gone viral, depicts the boys senselessly chopping the horse while it was tied to a tree, trying desperately to escape. News Five confirmed that this horrific incident happened near the Faber’s Road extension here in Belize City. Oney belongs to a sixteen-year-old boy who used to be friends with the attackers. He claims they stole his horse and tried to extort him for its return. The Belize Police Department, along with the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, and several animal activist groups, have stepped in. Oney is now recovering, but his future remains uncertain. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on this distressing story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

A shocking video showing three young men brutally attacking a horse with a machete has sparked national outrage. The perpetrators, aged sixteen, seventeen, and nineteen, and residents of Pitter Street in Belize City, have been identified and detained by police. Following the video’s viral spread on social media, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams took to Facebook to strongly condemn the act. He emphasized that the Belize Police Department is taking the matter very seriously and will do everything in its power to bring those responsible to justice. We spoke with ComPol Williams for more details.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I can tell you we are looking at the possibility of charges for cruelty to animal and we will seek further advice from the DPP to see if there is any further charges that can levied against those individuals. We need to send a strong signal. We are seeing that this type of occurrence is becoming more prevalent where animals are being treated inhumanely in such a cruel way. My thing is if these young men could have done to the horse, imagine what they could have done to a human being.”

The poor horse, named Oney, was left with severe injuries to its head and back. Today, a video surfaced showing that the injuries had worsened overnight, putting Oney’s life at serious risk. Reimers Feed Mill later posted on Facebook, offering to help with the necessary products for Oney’s recovery. We spoke with Rodrigo Blanco, the Marketing Manager at Reimers Feed Mill, to learn more about their efforts.

On the Phone: Rodrigo Blanco, Marketing Manager, Reimers Feed Mill

“To be honest when we saw the video we reacted the way everyone is doing, with such disgust, very disappointed that it is actually some young men performing such disgusted thing. For us as a company that really strives on animal care, that is something that we really don’t tolerate those kinds of things there. Our first reaction was to see how we could render assistance. I know the public was trying to get assistance for themselves but we just wanted to ensure that companies can come together and help with this situation.”

By late morning, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority had already stepped in to treat Oney. Dr. Jonathon Pech, the Deputy Technical Director of Animal Health at BAHA, reached out to Reimers Feed Mill and accepted their generous offer. BAHA also received support from the Animal Medical Centre. We caught up with Dr. Pech in Belize City as he was wrapping up hours of treatment on the horse for the day.

Dr. Jonathon Pech, Deputy Technical Director, BAHA

“As I arrived I saw a horrific scene that the animal had some chop wounds and they were very devastating. I have been practicing in Belize for almost twelve years now. IN all that time I believe this is some of the worst injuries I have seen. I have seen some chop wounds but nothing like this. I saw there was a slah on the right shoulder and above the right eye and it had some minor injuries as well on the legs.”

Paul Lopez

“And what was its state this morning, in terms of those injuries?”

Dr. Jonathon Pech

“It was full of worms, highly infested.”

According to Doctor Pech, samples were taken from the horse to determine if screwworms are in the area.

Dr. Jonathon Pech

“I am certain that it is going to pull through, as long as the treatment is given then the probability is high of the horse going back to being normal.”

Paul Lopez

“You have guided to the owner.”

Dr. Jonathon Pech

“I have instructed, but the person says he will get someone that knows more about horses to come and administer medications.”

The horse’s owner is sixteen-year-old Devonte Broaster. With his father’s consent, we spoke with Devonte, who shared that he bought Oney two months ago from a group of young men in Belize City who were mistreating the animal.

Devonte Broaster, Horse Owner

“Deh thief my horse so they took it round suh and hide and tell me that they don’t have it. They chop up him.”

Paul Lopez

“When you see that video what did that do to you?”

Devonte Broaster

“That hurt me, like I feel it in me. I feel it for him. I don’t know what is going on with deh bally. This dah the first horse I ever get, the first horse, I love ah. The way how I get dah video, the own people deh weh chop up the horse send me the video and I just send it to the police deh. Deh the try tek me real light, deh the talk bout I need to give them a bike and money to get back my horse.”

Paul Lopez

“You have any issues with them?”

Devonte Broaster

“No, I use to hang with deh bally. I don’t know what is going on with them.”

Paul Lopez

“What you plan to do with Oney after this?”

Devonte Broaster

“I plan to bring ah back and send him to village for some time and then I will ride him, but I just wah lef ah deh mek ih get back.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

Animal Activist Voices Outrage Over Animal Abuse

The Society for the Promotion of Animal Rescue and Kindness, based in Belize City, is outraged by the brutal attack on the horse seen in the viral video. They’ve noticed a troubling increase in animal abuse reports in the Old Capital and have been fighting against this cruelty for a while. This latest incident has them questioning the state of our society.

Michelle Rudon, President, SPARK

“It started from last week with the other situation with the little brown horse. This is something very heartbreaking for us, because we have been fighting it for so long. We have been fighting trying to bring about change and help for these animals. Seeing that video is something I will never get out of my head. WE should not have come to this. Something should have been done before to help these animals. You are barely getting over that one and then there is three four more cases, like what is happening to our society, where are we headed? What is brining about these horrific cases of abuse.”

Georgia Luis, Volunteer, SPARK

“When I initially saw the horse, the first one, the little brown horse, I was in shock and I could not believe that us as humans could experience this kind of behavior and as Michelle said, three more animals after that and the one yesterday with the cutting of the animal is just the worst and it ahs to be at some point stop somewhere and just with the media a lot of people are coming out and that is what we need.”

The Law Says $100 Fine for Animal Abuse

Halima Santos, the financial officer at SPARK, questioned the effectiveness of the current animal abuse laws. She pointed out that the fine for the horrific abuse seen in the video is only a measly one hundred dollars.

Halima Santos, Financial Advisor, SPARK

“There is a law in place for animal cruelty that talks about animal cruelty and abuse, it is not being used or even put into action, but I think it needs to because at this moment it is not just the horses being abused, it is animals, dogs and animals across the board. We need to go back to the table and make revision of these laws to include imprisonment, especially those who are often doing this sort of cruelty to animals. We want to spread awareness that there is a law for animals being abused. We want to spread awareness to help a voiceless animal who is in dire need. I would like to add on the support of the police department, because yes it is just an animal to them, but they too need help, they too are being abused. We don’t want that when we call the police department they don’t move because it is not a person. It is not an huma being, but it is an act of a crime. So we need the support of the police department to act on these kind of things and give assurance because yes you have done a crime and something will come out of it and another case comes up another day and put aside.”

ComPol Wants Stiffer Penalties for Animal Abuse

We spoke with Commissioner of Police Chester Williams about the hundred-dollar fine, which is the maximum penalty for animal abuse. We also addressed the criticism that the police don’t take animal abuse reports seriously. Here’s what he had to say.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Unfortunately it is a misdemeanor so it does not carry a stiff penalty so these are things we have to look at to see how we can transform the law. The laws we have in place for these kinds of acts are antiquated. They have been in place post independence. Times have changed so there is a need to look at those laws to see how we can strengthen it to serve as a deterrent to those who may wish to continue those types of activities.”

Paul Lopez

“My understanding is that the fine is somewhere around one hundred dollars. Is that your understanding?”

Chester Williams

“Somewhere around there yes.”

Paul Lopez

“The criticism is that whenever police is called to reports of animals abuse where horses are concerned, and animal abuse in general, they don’t take these reports seriously.”

Chester Williams

“The thing is we try to do as best as we can. There are instances where we require the support of the owners and we don’t get that support. While the penalties for the offense, which is cruelty to animals, may carry a small fine, we are also looking abatement to commit cruelty to animal. The abetment will take the penalty more severe. So we are hoping to go that route to send a stronger signal to those young men and to others who may have in mind to carry out such acts.”

15 Horses Stolen from Ranch in Ladyville

The Belize Police Department is also looking into another horse-related incident. Joshua Trapp, a forty-four-year-old tour guide from Ladyville, reported that fifteen of his horses went missing from his ranch on Wednesday. He managed to find eight of them, and searches continued throughout the day for the remaining seven. There were rumors that the injured horse in Belize City might be one of Trapp’s stolen horses. However, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and Oney’s owner have confirmed that this is not true.

Reporter

“We know that police are also investigating the other horse incident with Mr. Trapp. He believes that the horse that was chopped is one of his that was stolen long ago.”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“No, we have confirmed this horse belongs to a person who lives in the Fabers Road area. We have contacted that person. I am happy to see that BAHA came in and provide treatment to the horse. I saw a video footages on social media where it depicts the horses were already being eaten by these dead flies and I am hoping they can continue the treatment until they make a full recovery.”

Paul Lopez

“Just for clarity, you see the reports, this have nothing to do with the fifteen weh gone missing?”

Devonte Broaster, Horse Owner

“No boss, this is nothing to do with the fifteen.”