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PAN is actively working to ban horse-drawn carriages from the city streets of Philadelhpia.
PAN is currently seeking Philadelphia businesses and animal advocacy or rescue
groups to sign onto a letter to Philadelphia City Council
calling for a ban on horse-drawn carriages. At present, fifty organizations and businesses have agreed to sign the letter.
Additionally, PAN is holding a rally to support the ban on Sunday, April 29 from 1-4 PM on 6th Street between Chesnut and Market Streets. Contact Brandon if you
would like more information about the letter or the rally.
WHY IS A BAN OF HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES NECESSARY?
1.Exploitative Industry
In order to generate a profit and provide entertainment for tourists, the horses are enslaved and forced into a brutal existence. They are forced to work on hard pavement in dangerous, unhealthful, and unnatural conditions. This is an injustice to horses, who are social beings, and who are naturally born to live with other animals and run free.
2.Public Safety
Horse-drawn carriages are a danger to people in vehicles, pedestrians, and bike-riders in Philadelphia, one of the most congested cities in the U.S. The carriages impede the flow of traffic, including emergency vehicles. Accidents (like the one that occurred on April 19, 2010 at 6th and Race Streets) are inevitable, as horses are easily frightened by loud, sudden noises and seemingly light impacts (even the jolt of the harness), which are a frequent occurrence in Philadelphia. The natural instinct of horses is to run when they are frightened, resulting in many serious accidents, as demonstrated throughout the world.
3.Current or Modified Regulations Will Not Solve the Problem
There is no way to eliminate the degradation that these horses endure every day without a permanent ban.
QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE PROPOSED BAN OF HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES
1.Will a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ban Affect Tourism in Philadelphia?
Abundant attractions for tourists in our great city including Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Walnut Street Theater, National Constitution Center, Franklin Square, art galleries, wonderful restaurants, and Ride the Ducks sightseeing tours of historic Philadelphia. Philadelphia has much more to offer tourists than an out-dated, falsely romanticized perception that further exploits domesticated animals.
2.Will a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ban Result In Significant Job Loss?
The abundance of other tour and sight-seeing businesses in Philadelphia combined with the fact that the largest horse-drawn carriage company, 76 Carriage Company, operates many of these touring businesses, should make for an easy transition for carriage drivers who are affected by the ban.
3.What Will Happen to the Horses When the Proposed Ban is Implemented?
We are proposing that all of the horses be put into sanctuaries so that they can enjoy some of the freedoms that they have been denied for their entire lives. We believe that many of the horses who are part of this unjust industry end up in slaughterhouses, once they are physically and mentally shattered and their owners can no longer generate a profit. A ban will help to put an end to this vicious cycle.
4.Aren't Horse-Drawn Carriages Romantic and Part of Tradition?
Horse-drawn carriages are a dangerous tradition that is exploitative and unnecessary in the 21st century. There is absolutely nothing romantic about animal exploitation.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Boycott the Horse-Drawn Carriage Industry
Please tell everyone you know why they should never take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
2.Please contact Philadelphia City Council and Mayor Michael Nutter at 215-686-2181 or michael.nutter@phila.gov, and ask them to support legislation that will ban horse-drawn carriages. Contact information for City Council Members can be found at www.phila.gov/citycouncil.
3.Volunteer or help the horses by making a donation.
Peace Advocacy Network promotes non-violent, non-exploitative, sustainable living. The use of horse-drawn carriages is a form of animal exploitation.
As you consider the plight of carriage horses, please also consider the other animals exploited for food, clothing, entertainment, and other reasons.
A vegan lifestyle rejects violence and exploitation, is more sustainable for the Earth, and is our moral imperative.
For more information, please visit www.peaceadvocacynetwork.org
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