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Horses not meant for parade atmospheres
The Gazette Opinion Staff
Jul. 12, 2010 12:31 am
The tragic death of a Bellevue woman who was ejected from a runaway carriage, and the dozens of children trampled, should be a wake-up call to anyone considering allowing horse-drawn carriages in busy public venues.
Horses are sensitive to loud noises and unexpected sounds - and busy city streets, parades, and holiday functions have plenty of both. One car horn, one jackhammer, and chaos and injury can happen in an instant.
Besides the danger, it's a miserable life for horses who are forced to pull oversized loads in arduous weather conditions. Horses breathe in lung-searing exhaust fumes and plod along scorching asphalt. They constantly must avoid collisions with careless or impatient drivers.
How many injured horses and hospitalized people will it take before these cruel and dangerous rides are banned altogether? Put these operations out to pasture for good.
Jennifer O'Connor
Animals in
Entertainment
Campaign Writer
PETA Foundation
Norfolk, Va.
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