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

Quebec Police Shoot, Kill Man Allegedly Brandishing Chainsaw Near Montreal

Deux-Montagnes regional police officers were called to deal with a family dispute early this morning and found the 52-year-old man with the motor-driven saw, which they say was running.

Quebec Police Shoot, Kill Man Allegedly Brandishing Chainsaw Near Montreal

Saskatchewan Says Refugees Taxing Resources, But No Need To Delay Arrivals

REGINA — Saskatchewan Immigration Minister Jeremy Harrison says the arrival of nearly 600 refugees over the last couple of months is taxing resources.

Saskatchewan Says Refugees Taxing Resources, But No Need To Delay Arrivals

Vancouver Liable For Woman's Jail Treatment, But Restraint Device 'Justified'

Provincial Court Judge Laura Bakan ruled that although the use of the hobble was justified to monitor O'Shea's safety, the situation shouldn't have escalated to the point where it was needed.

Vancouver Liable For Woman's Jail Treatment, But Restraint Device 'Justified'

BC Hydro Seeks Injunction Against Site C Dam Protesters In Province's North

A months-long dispute is heating up between BC Hydro and a small group of First Nations and landowners who are protesting the construction of the $9-billion Site C dam.

BC Hydro Seeks Injunction Against Site C Dam Protesters In Province's North

B.C.'s First Coastal Cable Ferry To Begin Carrying Passengers, Cars, On Friday

So-called soft sailings start Friday as the $15-million Baynes Sound Connector carries some cars and passengers while the soon-to-be retired Quinitsa handles the rest of the regularly scheduled sailings.