The chairman of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has called for restrictions on the use of horse-drawn carriages during the summer months and within Hamilton during peak motor traffic hours.

The SPCA organised a meeting to discuss concerns over the use of the carriages which was held a few weeks ago.

The chairman of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has called for restrictions on the use of horse-drawn carriages during the summer months and within Hamilton during peak motor traffic hours.

The SPCA organised a meeting to discuss concerns over the use of the carriages which was held a few weeks ago.

SPCA shelter chairman Dr. Andrew Madeiros said a wide variety of concerns about the industry were raised at that meeting and he hopes to see changes implemented, as a result of these discussions, before the next carriage season.

Dr. Madeiros wrote a Letter to the Editor detailing the discussion at the recent meeting and stating that the SPCA has historically had a difficult relationship with some horse and carriage operators.

Problems highlighted at the meeting included the behaviour of some of the drivers, the tendency of the carriages to tie up traffic, the ability of the horses to cope with the heat, conditions of the horses and the stables they are kept in and manure on the roads.

Dr. Madeiros said better guidelines are needed for the industry and there should be restricted times for carriage operation in the summer.

He said the Corporation of Hamilton’s main concerns were over traffic hold ups, smells and manure while St. George’s representatives said they have received many complaints from tourists about the poor condition of the horses.

The overall consensus from the meeting is that there is an issue which must be addressed, he said.

The Corporations will get together and look at their ordinances, come up with ideas and then discuss new approaches, said Dr. Madeiros.

“I don’t know when we will meet again but I imagine it will be fairly soon,” he said.

“Realistically, something will happen for next (carriage) season.”

In his Letter to the Editor, Dr. Madeiros wrote that the SPCA “will not go on waiting until there is an accident in the city or a horse drops dead on Front Street from heat conditions”.

He said the organisation will continue to press for change with or without the carriage operators.

“It is very frustrating for the SPCA to deal with issues such as the above as the parties involved never resolve the issues,” Dr. Madeiros wrote.

“We feel that we are fighting the same battles repeatedly. Out of frustration and a determination to improve the conditions of the horses, we have formed a new partnership with others who share our concerns to find an effective means to address this issue fully and finally.

“We would prefer that the carriage operators worked with us but that has not been the case historically.”

Dr. Madeiros said he is not “anti-carriage industry” but there have been problems with some individuals.

The SPCA has received numerous complaints about overworked horses, lame horses, unfit drivers, unsafe carriages, horses working in extreme heat, malnourished horses, inadequate stabling and horses with sores on their legs.

“We support operators who keep their horses in safe, pleasant, suitable environments and provide a great service for locals and visitors alike,” Dr. Madeiros said.

He added: “The SPCA can only act within the provisions of the Care and Protection of Animals Act and must prove in a court of law, that cruelty has taken place.

“This is very difficult as, in order to prosecute, you need sufficient evidence,” said Dr. Madeiros.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George’s as well as a Police Animal Protection Officer, a Government Veterinary Officer and SPCA staff.

However, Dr. Madeiros said that while representatives from the Transport Control Department (TCD) were invited, and expected to attend, no one from the department showed up at the meeting.

Former Director of TCD Kevin Monkman, who was director at the time of the meeting, said yesterday that he was off the Island at the time of the meeting and the acting director had an emergency.

“I cannot say why they did not attend,” said Mr. Monkman. When asked if TCD had concerns regarding the carriages he said: “TCD’s primary concern is with licensing of the carriages and drivers.”

Mr. Monkman could not recall if any drivers or carriages had failed inspections in the past but he did say that inspections happen once a year.

He added that restrictions on times of operation would be an issue for the Corporations and the well being of horses would be an issue for the SPCA.

By The Royal Gazette