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Friday, December 4, 2009

Philly group to protest horse-drawn carriages

To some it's a romantic way to see a city. To others it exploits horses, forcing them to work long hours under difficult and dangerous conditions. We're talking about the horse-drawn carriage industry.

The Pennsylvania chapter of Friends of Animals will gather near Independence Park tomorrow to call for the end of horse-drawn carriages in Philadelphia.

They join animal groups in cities around the world which, as part of an international coalition Horses Without Carriages, have protested against the urban carriage industry.

The group points out that serious accidents occur when horses and cars exist in close proximity, including one this past summer at 3rd and Walnut when a carriage horse was injured after it spooked and wrapped the carriage around a pole. 

They also argue that no valid reason exists for continuing the use of horse-drawn carriages today. (Have they been to Lancaster County? More on the treatment of buggy and plow horses at the hands of Amish later this weekend.)

“We are asking Councilperson Frank DiCicco and the other city council members to support legislation which would permanently ban horse-drawn carriages and allow the horses to live out the rest of their lives in peace,” said Brandon Gittelman of Friends of Animals in Philadelphia.

The protest starts at 2 p.m. at 5th and Chestnut Streets on Saturday.

For more information on Horses Without Carriages International click here.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Chapter of Friends of Animals click here.
 
Posted by Amy Worden @ 8:36 PM  Permalink | 9 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:20 PM, 12/05/2009
    I hope the city gets with it and bans these things. Horses are social animals who shouldn't spend their days pulling carriages.
    — Allison Geiger
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:30 PM, 12/06/2009
    Exactly, 2012~Ron Paul, why can't we expect our animals to work for a living just like we do? I love animals and I think they should fulfill useful purposes. Everyone feels better when they are being a useful part of the community.
    — truthfriend
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:30 PM, 12/06/2009
    2012/Ron Paul - because you don't agree with a cause doesn't invalidate it. I suspect you are connected to the horse-drawn carriage industry and make money from the horses, so it's no wonder you would defend their use. However, the reality is that horses don't belong on city streets, amongst busy traffic, jeopardizing their lives and the safety of others on the road. Get a real job that doesn't exploit animals.
    — Rowan Morrison
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:40 PM, 12/06/2009
    These horses are slaves. They never get to do what they want and they are always at the mercy of the carriage operators. It's unnecessary and wrong to take advantage of those with less power. It isn't right when we do it to people and it isn't right when we do it to horses. I think these people are doing a great job standing up for the voiceless and will support a total ban on carriages 100%.
    — eatingconsciously
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:45 PM, 12/06/2009
    There's an obvious difference between humans working for a living and animals being forced to work. I hope this exploitative industry is banned soon. I hate going by and seeing the horses' sad eyes.
    — Eeyore76
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:11 PM, 12/06/2009
    How anyone finds this acceptable is beyond me. Humans invented this precarious novelty as a form of entertainment -- it's cessation can't come soon enough.
    — AdamS
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:58 PM, 12/06/2009
    uh, it's not that we have too much time on our hands Paul, au contraire. We hold full time professional jobs but we are the voice for the voiceless. We have dedicated our lives to fight injustices over the almighty dollar. We have the option to go indoors when the weather is intolerable, the horses do not.
    — tulipwalk
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:14 PM, 06/04/2011
    As soon as these horses are put out of work, they'll be put down. I'm sure they'll send PETA a thank you note from the slaughter house.
    — cavmag.com


9 comments
About Amy Worden
Amy Worden is a politics and government reporter for the Inquirer. In that capacity she has explored a range of animal issues from dog kennel law improvements and horse slaughter to the comeback of peregrine falcons and pigeon hunts. From hamsters to horses, animals have always been part of her life. To pass along a tip or contact Amy, click here.
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