By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
PASSERS-BY were upset by the horse and carriage industry after a surrey horse collided with a car yesterday.
The mare, “Uncle Tom”, was hit by a car as it crossed the Dowdeswell and Deveaux Streets intersection sometime after 1pm.
While police investigations are continuing, the incident highlighted challenges faced by officials to effectively regulate the health and safety of the animals.
Tourism officials at the scene confirmed that police reports on accidents of this nature were inconsistent, and often were not submitted by surrey drivers unless insurance compensation was needed.
It was also noted that some owners and drivers were aggressive towards officials during attempts to keep tabs on recovering animals.
However, the officials expressed confidence that anticipated legislative reform would alleviate conditions.
Last month, Transport Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin said that widespread reform of the surrey industry could be realised before the year-end, with talks between owners and regulators progressing smoothly.
Key considerations were said to include the establishment of national stables, and subsidized management of the industry; and rate increases for drivers.
Comments
henny 11 years, 2 months ago
The exact reason they should do away with the surrey horse carriages and adopt a new method such using rickshaws as a petition was signed by 1,000 persons a month ago. As I stated in an earlier article there are too many cars in Nassau to continue having these poor horses maneuvering in a high traffic area.
blackcat 11 years, 2 months ago
This is absolutely ridiculous and disgusting- How many incidents like this will it take before we do away with the surrey rides and take the right steps forward to protect these poor horses. These horse owners/ surrey drivers have no regard for these animals. The housing area at Prince George is littered with glass bottles and men talking trash and using profane language. As pointed out by Kim Arhana of BHS, owning a horse comes with serious expenses; their care is not cheap. The attitude and behavior of these surrey /horse owners clearly show just how important these horses are to them. If horses are the "livelihood" of these men , you would think they would take more care in doing right by them. Animal rights groups need more authority when it comes to these matters in order to properly monitor situations such as these. I suppose not until a huge tragedy happens on the streets will anything happen.........but I'll hope for the best.
positiveinput 11 years, 2 months ago
Even down to the officials of this industry should be ashamed. How is it that this creature has been hit by a automobile, clearly from the picture injured, yet still has equipment attached to him. When a human is injured as simple as his/her clothing is cut away so why is the horse gear still attached? Seems like nobody is concern for these animals wellbeing.
Kalypso 11 years, 2 months ago
Don't hold your breath for "widespread reform." And I absolutely agree w the two comments above. Its time or the Bahamas to go on record as animal friendly and humane. "I think how we treat our animals reflects how we treat each other . ... "We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals. ... "Animals cannot speak, but can you and I not speak for them and represent them ... The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" ~ Gandhi ...
banker 11 years, 2 months ago
Look at how emaciated the horse is. This picture is hard to look at.
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