National

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

And The Oscar Goes To... 4 B.C. Key Grips For Inventing Inflatable Green Screen

As Godzilla rises from the ocean depths and attacks the Golden Gate Bridge, movie audiences suspend disbelief at the captivating on-screen spectacle.

And The Oscar Goes To... 4 B.C. Key Grips For Inventing Inflatable Green Screen

Two Alleged Human Smugglers On Trial Over Alan Kurdi's Death

Two alleged people-smugglers are on trial in Turkey accused of causing the death of 3-year-old Syrian migrant boy Alan Kurdi and four other people.

Two Alleged Human Smugglers On Trial Over Alan Kurdi's Death

Justin Trudeau Casts Doubt On Liberals' Balanced-budget Vow, Cites Fading Economy

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is backing away from a campaign vow to balance the public books before the end of his government's four-year mandate — a promise that was central to the Liberal election platform.