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Animal group wants Victoria to ban horse carriages

Calling it animal exploitation, the Victoria Horse Alliance has called on the City of Victoria to ban horse carriages in the city.
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A horse-drawn carriage rolls past the legislature to pick up tourists in Victoria.

Calling it animal exploitation, the Victoria Horse Alliance has called on the City of Victoria to ban horse carriages in the city.

Jordan Reichert said the petition is in response to what he believes is the inhumane care of the horses, safety issues with carriage tours and the overall well-being of the animals. The group will present its petition to city council tonight. As of late Wednesday, there were 955 signatures.

“This is animal exploitation. We’ve shown the evidence that condemns this industry on its own merit. Now the city must decide whether to continue this inhumane tradition or join other progressive cities around the world in banning it once and for all,” said Reichert.

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said the issue tends to come up almost every year. “And every year we say that the carriages add to the vibrancy of the downtown,” she said.

Reichert believes this year is different. In an interview, he said this time the city has a formal petition brought to them, as well as a report showing improper care of the horses, and documenting safety concerns.

The petition cites carriage collisions involving vehicles, improper maintenance of equipment, reckless operation and inadequate care of horses as reasons for banning them in the city by the end of 2017.

The group also alleges improper hoof care and metal bars or “bits” causing pain and damage to horses’ mouths.

In response to the petition, Tally Ho Tours and Victoria Carriage Tours released a joint statement noting the number of collisions — 20 over 20 years claimed by the Victoria Horse Alliance — misstate the facts. “This data includes all reports of any nature within the industry, no matter how trivial. We are proud of our safety record as safety is our paramount goal and we have documented processes in place to ensure safety checks of horses and equipment are performed multiple times each day,” the tour operators said.

In a letter to city council, Tally Ho Tours president Donna Friedlander also noted the carriage tour business makes “significant investment in the ethical treatment of our horses, and uphold the highest standards of care on a global scale.”

She laid out the regimen of inspections and check-ups the animals are subject to and the training the staff is put through.

All carriage drivers are highly experienced in ensuring that bits are fitted properly and used with respect for the horse, the statement said.

“The carriage industry in Victoria has an amazing team of people who recognize the gift of being able to work with remarkable horses. We are all dedicated to ensuring their physical and mental health through trust-based relationships and high standards,” she wrote.

The two carriage tour companies own 52 horses and employ about 70 people.

Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe said the animals must undergo full physicals by veterinarians twice a year for companies to obtain and keep permits.

A bylaw officer and B.C. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals officer also visit the stables to approve the conditions.

She said bylaws have been strengthened over the years, including taking carriages off the road during rush hour, and she would not support a ban on the industry at this time.

“This is not a priority,” she said. “We have had accidents, but definitely not a number of accidents that compare with cyclists, skateboarders and pedestrians.”

Coun. Ben Isitt said he supports phasing out the industry by early 2018 due to ethical and safety concerns. He said he most commonly hears complaints about the carriages from tourists.

“I think it’s an outmoded form of commerce and transportation in a dense urban area,” he said. “Will we lose tourists if this is no longer permitted in our downtown core? I don’t think so.”

Reichert said his group has filed two cruelty complaints with the SPCA about alleged poor hoof care that he claims is causing horses pain and long-term damage.

He said major cities including Toronto, London and Beijing had banned horse-drawn carriages. In New York, a much-debated plan to limit the rides to a small section of Central Park collapsed in February.

The SPCA did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but a 2008 position statement said the use of animals for recreation, sport or entertainment is acceptable if a number of criteria are met, including that the animals are cared for and kept from hunger, pain and disease.

aduffy@timescolonist.com