Horse drops dead in Portland. Is it time to ban horse carriages?
posted by: Drew Wilson 97 days ago
Earlier this month Balatore, a 20 year old horse in Oregon, had a major heart-attack and collapsed in front of the Central Library in downtown Portland, OR. Balatore was forced to draw carriages for most of his adult life. At the time of his death he was towing a newlywed couple to the Crowne Ballroom. It was a 90 degree summer afternoon. He should not have been forced to tow a load in such sweltering heat.
Josey Murphy witnessed the horse's death. He was quoted on KATU saying, "At first I thought a person got hit or something until I seen the big mound in the middle of the road. I’ve never seen anything like that. It’s a hot day, the horse was old."
This is not rare. Collisions or deaths-by-exhaustion have occurred in nearly every city or town where horse-drawn carriages operate. In the past few years, dozens and dozens of horses have died or were severely injured while pulling tourist carriages. If you're not convinced that this is a significant problem, check out PETA's newly revamped fact sheet on horse-drawn carriages. And it is not just hot days that horses are forced to endure. New York City horses were forced to trudge through last year's major ice and snow storm. It is about time we get serious about banning horse-drawn carriages.
Things are Heating Up in New York City
As Heather Moore announced earlier on the care2 blog, PETA and other organizations are building a coalition in New York City to ban the cruel carriages. Their MySpace page now has over 1000 friends. This may be the time; we have a pretty good shot at banning the practice in the Big Apple. Several cities in Florida have done so, and so have big cities like Las Vegas, Paris, and London.
What can I do?
Josey Murphy witnessed the horse's death. He was quoted on KATU saying, "At first I thought a person got hit or something until I seen the big mound in the middle of the road. I’ve never seen anything like that. It’s a hot day, the horse was old."
This is not rare. Collisions or deaths-by-exhaustion have occurred in nearly every city or town where horse-drawn carriages operate. In the past few years, dozens and dozens of horses have died or were severely injured while pulling tourist carriages. If you're not convinced that this is a significant problem, check out PETA's newly revamped fact sheet on horse-drawn carriages. And it is not just hot days that horses are forced to endure. New York City horses were forced to trudge through last year's major ice and snow storm. It is about time we get serious about banning horse-drawn carriages.
Things are Heating Up in New York City
As Heather Moore announced earlier on the care2 blog, PETA and other organizations are building a coalition in New York City to ban the cruel carriages. Their MySpace page now has over 1000 friends. This may be the time; we have a pretty good shot at banning the practice in the Big Apple. Several cities in Florida have done so, and so have big cities like Las Vegas, Paris, and London.
What can I do?
- Sign the petition: NYC Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages!
Read more: animal welfare
comments
here from oregon too, i think what happened is inexcusable. i am a passionate horse lover from birth! and the blame should go directly to the people who are responsible for the horses and those carriage companies who dont care about their animals. it isnt pulling the carriage that's inhumane, its the people who abuse and neglect the horses. these are the people who should be banned, fired, lose their business etc... we can enjoy carriage rides without abusing and /or neglecting horses, its the only way to enjoy our equine friends anyway!
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This is right here in our own state folks ! Make some phone calls, sign the petition... what ever you have time to do to help... Animals need your help !
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WHY ARE THEIR HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGES ANYWAY?
CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG BUT I THOUGHT WE WERE LIVING IN THE 21ST CENTUARY.
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What ever your feelings and opinions are, I take exception to the stereotyping and the repeated remark of the Amish as a whole. That is ridiculous, unfounded and a disgraceful way to address this or any situation.
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Thank you Jerilyn. The Amish treat their horses just like they do the puppy mills puppies and dogs. The breeder dogs are "debarked" by ramming a metal rod down the throat. Thats the first day in their life of hell and torture. They are not regarded as living things, and treated as such. Many of these Amish have computers and cell phones. I know rescue people who go to the auctions and see this.
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SOMEone didn't interpret my comment correctly (i.e. the Amish bit was just an example of those who do get around by horse-drawn carriage; I don't think the world of any group and I also don't generalize and bash any group). I agree that there needs to be better laws to protect horses (re-read my last sentence)!
Watch "The End of Suburbia" and then think again about how we will be getting around after we hit peak oil. People might have more respect for horses then. Please read my first comment again!
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Not to put a damper on everyone on here who think the Amish are great people but do people realize they are 1 of the causes of our over population of pets and pets being euthanized every day in our shelters? Yes. They are part of the cause. As far as how they treat their horses--they don't treat them well either. If you want to know what really goes on with them and animals, check out the puppy mill rescue site on the internet here. It will open your eyes very quickly and you won't feel sorry for them. I've personally witnessed their horses pulling them around in the coldest of winter (ice and snow) and they don't care how cold it is--they still push them. So, maybe what really is needed is to make a law (federal) where horses have to be treated humanely when used to pull carriages. I'm all for that but unless people realize how bad it is for their horses, nothing will ever change. Animal lovers everywhere in the U.S. are fighting them over their inhumane treatment of dogs and cats in their "puppy mills" but that is a very slow process also.
I don't feel sorry for them at all. A lot of them have people transport them around anyway (non Amish) so I feel they just need to stop using and abusing their horses and their money makers (the puppy mill dogs).
J.C.
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I say banned for entertainment, but not when used for personal carriages (i.e. a person uses the aid of their companion horse to pull their carriage, like the Amish). When a companion horse is used to pull a carriage that is not bringing in money or for commercial uses, the horse is more likely to be treated kindly and humanely because a bond/relationship usually exists between the human and the horse.
How will the Amish get around without their horses? What will we do when we run out of oil. We are running out of rare Earth metals to make electric motors, batteries, etc... for hybrids and electric cars. What are we going to do then? We must take good care of our horses!!
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Thank you Bonnie. And the person pulling the rickshaw has done so by choice, and is getting paid to do so, and can quit when he wants, and can take a break when he gets too hot or tired. Not the horse. Nope. Humans choose this suffering FOR them.
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Every time we ride through St. Augustine, Florida, which is quite frequently on our rides on our motorcycle, I see the poor carriage horses, helds held low, looking sad, suffering in the blazing Florida heat, humidity and sun. I scream at the top of my lungs about the animal cruelty and yell out at the people hiring the carriages that they are contributing to the cruelty. While others have commented that they are tired of the "ban this/ban that" going on, it's because of humans that we've reached this point. A nose-to-tailpipe life is NO LIFE for these precious beings. Humans have created horrendous conditions for animals around the globe and it has gone unchecked for decades. So yes, it's time for banning multiple atrocities, this being one of them. Here in Jacksonville, a company has come out with bicycle rickshaws to carry people to and from parking lots that are great distances from various events. I loved it when I rode in one. It's far better than watching the suffering of a horse, weary to the bone and deserving of a soft place to lie, good food for nourishment, brushing, and most of all love. Ban we must if we are ever going to see real change for the precious sentient beings of this earth. It's up to us to do it.
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