Victoria City Council Hears Debate Over Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours

The Canadian Press, 25 Mar, 2016 12:47 PM

VICTORIA — Debate over horse-drawn carriage rides in downtown Victoria, B.C., is heating up.

The owner of Victoria Carriage Tours appeared at a city council meeting on Thursday to defend the industry after an animal rights group started an online petition looking to ban the rides.

Katarina Gallagher says she has was blindsided by the petition, which alleges there has been poor maintenance of equipment, reckless driving of the carriages and improper care of the horses.

Gallagher says the "unfounded" and "vague" accusations about inadequate care and reckless driving are baseless and constitute fear mongering.

More than 900 people have signed the petition, and several speakers aligned with animal rights group "Victoria Horse Alliance" addressed council Thursday, saying they support the ban.

There are currently two carriage companies in the city, Tally Ho Carriage Tours and Victoria Carriage Tours, that have a total of 52 horses and employ roughly 70 people.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Cost Of Syrian Refugee Program Will Near $1 Billion With New Money In Budget

OTTAWA — The marquee Liberal commitment to Syrian refugee resettlement could end up costing taxpayers close to $1 billion.

Cost Of Syrian Refugee Program Will Near $1 Billion With New Money In Budget

Video Of Woman Pitching Coffee At Man Over Disabled Parking Spot At Tim Hortons Goes Viral

People take to social media to support Toronto man who confronted woman outside Tim Horton's

Video Of Woman Pitching Coffee At Man Over Disabled Parking Spot At Tim Hortons Goes Viral

B.C. Information And Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham Takes Job In U.K

Denham has been B.C.'s information and privacy commissioner since 2010 and her term ends in July.

B.C. Information And Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Denham Takes Job In U.K

B.C. Says Federal Budget Sets Stage For Major Infrastructure Projects

British Columbia's Liberal government says Tuesday's federal budget signals a good start towards investing in provincial infrastructure projects.

B.C. Says Federal Budget Sets Stage For Major Infrastructure Projects

Flag Attacked By Critics As Homophobic Taken Down At Legislature In St. John's

A statement from the provincial Liberal government says the flag featuring a red cross was removed from a courtesy pole as other flags were lowered to half-mast.