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700 sign petition against horse-drawn tourist carriage rides

9:50am Thursday 25th August 2011 in News

SEVEN hundred people have signed a petition opposing the introduction of horse-drawn carriages in Oxford city centre.

It has emerged the petition was organised by the animal rights group PETA (The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), which alerted its supporters to a proposal to bring horses back to the city’s streets.

Oxford City Council undertook a public consultation on a proposal for horse-drawn carriages earlier in the summer.

A licence application was submitted by Kevin Merry Carriages, which operates a horse carriage business in Forest Hill, providing carriages for weddings, funerals and balls.

The company wants to operate a carriage service in Oxford initially on Sundays from May through to September. But it hopes to extend the service to Saturdays and then throughout the week, if it proved popular with visitors.

While some local people expressed fears horses could lead to traffic queues stretching back to east Oxford, animal rights campaigners claimed the public and horses would be put at risk.

Mimi Bekhechi, of PETA, said: “Horse-drawn carriages are dangerous to riders, pedestrians and motorists. Horses are very easily spooked and can shy, buck or flee, causing the driver to lose control and resulting in injury and even death to riders and passers-by.”

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But Kevin Merry, of Kevin Merry Carriages, said he had been “thrilled by the largely enthusiastic response” to the proposal.

A report considering the consultation will now be drafted ready for discussion at full council in October.

Comments(15)

Cathena says...
10:13am Thu 25 Aug 11

If PETA have their way there will be no working animals left - just pets, then they will find reasons for not having pets. Look after their welfare yes but don't put them out of work.

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Darkforbid says...
11:06am Thu 25 Aug 11

Yep the horse carriages in NYC... have animals running around spooked all the time... not!!

Mind you there have been a few incidents

"At least six people have been hospitalized and three horses have died from horse carriage incidents in New York since 2006."

Then again the police kill more people per year lets ban them instead.

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Patrick in Devon says...
11:16am Thu 25 Aug 11

Someone should walk in front with a red flag!

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Gunslinger says...
11:50am Thu 25 Aug 11

Mimi Bekhechi, of PETA, said: “Horse-drawn carriages are dangerous to riders, pedestrians and motorists. Horses are very easily spooked and can shy, buck or flee, causing the driver to lose control and resulting in injury and even death to riders and passers-by.”

What rubbish, here speaks yet another self serving single interest group trying to foist its view on the rest of the world.

Horse drawn tourist transport exists in many cities in Europe and the rest of the world, with no or few apparent ill effects.

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gymrat34 says...
1:10pm Thu 25 Aug 11

Oxford doesn't need horses. No ones walked around Oxford and thought "you know what this place needs? Some horse drawn carriages".
It's a dumb idea that will only benefit the Kevin Merry Carriages and everyone else will suffer by having to watch out for horses, driving slow around them and having their mess everywhere. As a pedestrian, cyclist and a motorist I cannot think of a positive reason for this.

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carli says...
3:25pm Thu 25 Aug 11

Darkforbid wrote:
Yep the horse carriages in NYC... have animals running around spooked all the time... not!!

Mind you there have been a few incidents

"At least six people have been hospitalized and three horses have died from horse carriage incidents in New York since 2006."

Then again the police kill more people per year lets ban them instead.
Darkforbid.... what on earth has NYC got to do with Oxford, for one it's a lot smaller than NYC and probably a lot quieter. How on earth do you come to the conclusion of banning the police... what a totally stupid comment... I just hope you never need their help..... shame on you.

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carli says...
3:26pm Thu 25 Aug 11

Darkforbid.... what on earth has NYC got to do with Oxford, for one it's a lot smaller than NYC and probably a lot quieter. How on earth do you come to the conclusion of banning the police... what a totally stupid comment... I just hope you never need their help..... shame on you.

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oxfordbuddy says...
4:11pm Thu 25 Aug 11

I think horse drawn carriages is a brilliant idea for dull old central Oxford. Many cities have them without a catalogue of incidents or problems with traffic. Bruges is one good example. They are a great draw for tourists and horses are attractive, friendly and colourful. Yes, they can be dangerous but I imagine Kevin Merry won't head for the wild west when looking for carriage horses. Lastly, horses are working animals, too many of them spend their lives bored and badly looked after in fields. With current legislation, I don't think there will be any danger of cruelty.

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Darkforbid says...
4:20pm Thu 25 Aug 11

Oh sorry, it was a comment about a city that has horse carriages... I see the problem you have connecting this with the story above... Stupidity

The other comment was about PETA's 'may cause death' quote... Linking it to a death causing force... Do you read the national news?

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Lord Peter Macvey says...
8:46pm Thu 25 Aug 11

There is no room in Oxford for these. Where will they run from and to. How much congestion will they cause for the already stressed public transport system. And who pays to clean up all the stinking poo? That and the licencing problem will lead this down the dead end that is a NO. P.S. Would a responsible owner want his beasts breathing in exhaust fumes all day, that has got to be really healthy for the horses. P.P.S. But Kevin says that they enjoy all those particulates going into their lungs, so who are we to argue.

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Darkforbid says...
9:42pm Thu 25 Aug 11

"Would a responsible owner want his beasts breathing in exhaust fumes all day, that has got to be really healthy for the horses."

What like mounted police?

Don't we all own them?

So nice of you to admit your un-responsible Peter

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Patrick in Devon says...
12:10am Fri 26 Aug 11

Horse dung doesnt stink Pete, and if you dont want horses inhaling the exhaust fumes, then what about the poor sods who work there? I read an article recently that being in the centre of Oxford is as bad as smoking 60 fags a day.

Make some room and some air. Ban cars and diesel buses. Its happening everywhere except in the UK it seems.

Even Brugge has elimitated most motor traffic and wants electric trams again, and they dont have a problem with the horse droppings.

While your at it, get some Belgian chip stalls in - far better than your disgusting kebabs and hot dogs!

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gymrat34 says...
7:52am Fri 26 Aug 11

Would everyone stop comparing Oxford to Bruges! Bruges is nothing like Oxford. We shouldn't be trying be a city we're not.

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Darkforbid says...
10:45am Fri 26 Aug 11

gymrat34 wrote:
Would everyone stop comparing Oxford to Bruges! Bruges is nothing like Oxford. We shouldn't be trying be a city we're not.
I agree Oxford seem to be a city running like a small town

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Patrick in Devon says...
11:27am Fri 26 Aug 11

I have spent large parts of my life in both Brugge and Oxford, gymrat, and I can assure you they have much in common, for a start :

similar population
historic centre
massive tourist/visitor attraction

Now for the diferences :

Brugge has not surrounded itself in a phoney green belt, and has expanded without compromising its historic character. People can use efficient public transport to get to work, college, shops, leisure facilities (which are far superior) and shops (ditto). It relocated its cramped 19th C railway station nearly 80 years ago. Its football club moved to a new stadium 40 years ago, and is now considering moving and expanding again.

Planning is not dictated by NIMBYs.

And, its cuisine and beer is far superior.

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