MIAMI -- A second teenager has been arrested in connection with the slaughtering of at least two horses in South Florida.

Santiago Arias-Cabrera, 19, of Hialeah, faces charges of armed burglary, animal cruelty, killing a registered breed horse and breaking a fence. A judge denied him bond Tuesday morning.

Miami-Dade police said Cabrera admitted that he, Luis Miguel Cordero and two others went to the Lazy L Ranch in the 5400 block of Northwest 159th Street to kill a horse for its meat. According to police, Cabrera said he cut a fence to get onto the property and he and the others pulled a horse from its stall and held it while one of them slit its throat.

According to the arrest report, Cabrera and the others began cutting the horse's front quarters while it was still alive, strapping its mouth to keep it quiet.

The arrest report said Cabrera told police he was paid $500 for his involvement.

Cordero, 18, was arrested last week in connection with the killing.

Cabrera and Cordero also face charges in connection with another horse killing, on July 9 at the Stone City ranch in the 12100 block of Northwest 157th Street. According to the arrest form, Cabrera said he and three others killed a 9-year-old mare for its meat at that location, as well. Police said Cabrera told them the group was paid $900 for that killing.

Police said the mare was killed while her 4-month-old colt looked on, Local 10's Todd Tongen reported.

"After a knife was plunged into its throat, she didn't go down right away, so they took a pipe and they broke her legs to make this horse go down," said Richard Couto, an investigator with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Horse meat can be sold on the black market in South Florida for as much as $40 per pound.

Police did not release any information on the other two possible suspects.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 20 horses have been found slain and butchered in South Florida. Miami-Dade police have not said whether they believe the cases are related.

While the two arrests are significant, police said horse owners cannot let their guard down.

"Horse owners in South Florida -- even when these other two monsters are arrested -- keep your guard up. If you are having barn watches, keep them going. Keep your security lighting up. This is one group. We believe there are multiple groups out there," Couto said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477).