An animal welfare group is asking the public to petition the Corporation of Hamilton to ban horses and carriages from the city completely.
After two horses bolted during a busy Harbour Nights on April 25, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said horses should only work in the Botanical Gardens. Nineteen people were injured in the incident.
Now, following a second horse bolting incident in the City on Wednesday, the group is asking the public to write to the Corporation calling for a city-wide ban.
An animal welfare group is asking the public to petition the Corporation of Hamilton to ban horses and carriages from the city completely.
After two horses bolted during a busy Harbour Nights on April 25, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said horses should only work in the Botanical Gardens. Nineteen people were injured in the incident.
Now, following a second horse bolting incident in the City on Wednesday, the group is asking the public to write to the Corporation calling for a city-wide ban.
No one was injured in Wednesday’s incident which saw an unmanned horse and carriage dash along Front Street onto Bermudiana Road before a citizen was able to grab the carriage and bring it to a halt on Par-la-Ville Road, but the SPCA said the city is now too busy with traffic and chaos for horses.
The group sent an email to its members urging them to write letters to Mayor Sutherland Madeiros.
“For many years the SPCA has been calling for restrictions on the use of horse and carriages within the City of Hamilton,” the email said. “The SPCA’s concern continues to be for the welfare of the horses and the safety of the general public.
“Horses are sensitive animals and the combination of heat, noise, traffic and construction adds to the stress placed on these animals while they are pulling carriages full of passengers though busy streets.”
“It is no surprise that the above incidents happened and it is reasonable to believe similar incidents will continue to happen,” the email continued.
Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Wayne Perinchief announced last week that horses will not participate in this year’s Bermuda Day parade and the city has a temporary ban on horse and carriages at Harbour Nights in place at the moment.
The Corporation will be meeting this week to discuss the issue.
Concerned citizens can submit letters via e-mail to smadeiros@cityhall.bm and copy them to kmiller@cityhall.bm.
By Robyn Skinner The Royal Gazette