Florida

Man Riding Horse from South Carolina to Key West Arrested in Miami-Dade

A man who was riding a malnourished horse from South Carolina to the Florida Keys was arrested in Miami-Dade Wednesday, South Florida SPCA officials said.

Miami-Dade Police responded to the area of U.S. 1 and 142nd Street after someone called to report a man on a horse in the busway.

Officers arrived and made contact with 36-year-old Christopher Emerson, and found the horse underweight and malnourished with sores on its mouth, police said.

Emerson was detained and charged with animal cruelty. No attorney information was immediately available.

According to an arrest report, Emerson said he didn't have money to feed the horse or himself and depended on strangers for assistance.

The SPCA took custody of the horse, Trigger, and were bringing him to their ranch.

"The horse is probably 200 pounds underweight. You can see his shoulder blade, his spine, his back is very sore," said Laurie Waggoner, with the SPCA.

Check back with NBC 6 for updates.

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