This morning, social media erupted with outrage after a truly disturbing video of a horse being abused went viral. The video showed three teenagers chopping the defenseless animal multiple times before leaving it for dead.

That video was reportedly taken from Sunday, when the horse was first stolen - and it was a bunch of teenagers doing the chopping - two of them minors.

But, even though they did their worst, resilient "Wannie" - as the horse is called - survived the attack and is on the road to recovery tonight.

Meanwhile, his attackers have been arrested and will be criminally charged.

Courtney Menzies went to the area where the horse was found and spoke to his owner. Here is that story.

16 year old Devonte Broaster bought his horse, "Wannie" two months ago. But on Sunday, the horse was stolen and brutalized by a group of teenagers. Broaster only found out what had happened after he saw a disturbing video of his horse being mercilessly chopped.

He said he didn't know where the horse was until this morning - when it was found in the "dike" area off Faber's road. He'd been looking for him for days.

Devonte Broaster, Owner of Horse
"Last week when I went to check on it. Day before, some people came to steal it too."

Courtney Menzies
"Do you know why they were trying to steal your horse?"

Devonte Broaster, Owner of Horse
"I don't know, some of them are talking about- because some of them own horses. They say it's me who stole their horse and hurt it, I think that's why these guys stole my horse."

Courtney Menzies
"So it's kinda like revenge?"

Devonte Broaster, Owner of Horse
"Yeah I think it's like that right there."

Courtney Menzies
"So when did you find out the horse was back here?"

Devonte Broaster, Owner of Horse
"When a boy sent me, just about two days now."

Courtney Menzies
"So the horse was chopped up two days ago?"

Devonte Broaster, Owner of Horse
"From they got it, they chopped it up. That's from about last week Sunday. Still alive until now."

"I was looking for it but I didn't know it was behind here, it's the police who told me it was behind here. I'm just coming."

Courtney Menzies
"So what are you going to do now?"

Devonte Broaster, Owner of Horse
"I have to try to bring it back. This is the first horse I ever have."

Courtney Menzies
"And you usually it in your yard?"

Devonte Broaster, Owner of Horse
"Yeah, I usually keep it in my yard, in front of my yard, and they still came for it."

The animal is battered, and its chop wounds are infected - and this morning at around 9:30, it looked defeated.

But fortunately for "Wannie", after the animal cruelty video went pubic, BAHA stepped in and has started treating his wounds.

After a few hours and some nourishment - he looked a little livelier. And despite the brutal attack, the Deputy Technical Director of Animal Health expects the horse to fully recover.

Jonathan Pech, Deputy Technical Director, Animal Health, BAHA
"It was a very horrific scene that we found. So immediately I started, first of all, collecting some of the worms because as you know screwworm right now is a big threat to the country. We're controlling it and we're trying to eradicate it. I followed to treat it directly with a spray that will kill all the worms and as well will promote the healing in the poor horse. I would like to say thank you to Reimer's that they offered to donate some medication because with those medications then the animal will be able to get the infection controlled and as well relief of some of the pain. It will take some time for the horse to recover but I am positive that it will make a full recovery."

"Horses are very resilient and unfortunately here in Belize we don't have very strong laws against animal cruelty. I believe that the horse, it's lucky to still be alive with those injuries but it's getting the correct treatment now."

As you heard the commissioner say, that horse was not part of the theft of 15 horses which happened sometime yesterday at a farm near mile 13 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. 7 of those horses have been recovered.