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

Canadian Man Sentenced To 11 Years In Prison For Defrauding The U.s. Of $3.5 Million

In addition to 135 months in prison, Kevin Cyster also must pay the money back.

Canadian Man Sentenced To 11 Years In Prison For Defrauding The U.s. Of $3.5 Million

Shell-Led Joint Venture Obtains Key Permit For LNG Facility In Kitimat, B.C.

LNG Canada says it is the first in the province to receive the permit from the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission.

Shell-Led Joint Venture Obtains Key Permit For LNG Facility In Kitimat, B.C.

Victoria School District Worries New Homeless Shelter Puts Students At Risk

Piet Langstraat said the province and the City of Victoria must pay the estimated $44,000 for extra custodial staff and crossing guards needed to ensure everyone's safety at Central Middle School.

Victoria School District Worries New Homeless Shelter Puts Students At Risk

Classified Ad Seeking To Connect BC Woman With Father Who Doesn't Know She Exists

Toni Rempel is looking for a man named Gary who was in Regina on business in 1969.

Classified Ad Seeking To Connect BC Woman With Father Who Doesn't Know She Exists

Victoria's Courthouse Campers On Move To Shelter After Months Outside

Wet, cold and windy nights adjusting tarps and pounding pegs into the soggy ground are about to come to an end for John Bertrim and dozens of others who have slept in tents on the Victoria Law Courts' lawn for months.