The government is considering amending current legislation to include stricter guidelines for surrey drivers after a horse collapsed and died on Tuesday. The 22-year-old female horse named, Bloody Mary, was drawing a yellow and blue surrey near the corner of Dowdswell and Christie Streets when it collapsed and died. Dr Maurice Isaacs, director of the CABS (Hackney) Board, responsible for regulating the surrey industry, said the current legislation is out dated and needs to be brought up to date. “The act is old and we are recommending that the government address some of the gaps. That is something that needs to be done soon,” he said.
“There needs to be stricter guidelines and stricter punishment for offenders. In particular we need to ensure that after the horses are inspected the information is taken to the relevant agencies and they do their part.” As it relates to Bloody Mary, Dr Isaacs said the horse died from a heart attack. He said: “We knew she had a heart condition and so she was supposed to be working just once a week and there were also conditions.
This incident is unfortunate. We assumed it was safe for her to work in November because there is little sun. No one expected her to have a heart attack, but the horse was not mistreated and passed all the regular tests.” Dr Isaacs said the horses and the carriages are inspected by road traffic inspectors the first Thursday of every month. Since the story was published, readers voiced their concerns on The Tribune’s website.
One person said: “I am disgusted at the way the Bahamas treats its animals. This horse went to work day in and day out without a voice, entrusting in her owner to feed her adequately, water her adequately, and provide adequate rest and shelter. After all....it’s all she deserved for putting money in this man’s pocket, rum in his belly and food on his table. Disgusting!! This has to stop!! A disgrace and embarrassment to the country!! Another reader said: “This horse should have not been working at all. There is no excuse! These horses are not properly cared for and lead miserable lives. The owners are senseless and cannot be trusted to look after their animals. The bottom line is profit.” A woman, who recently visited the Bahamas, said her trip was overshadowed by how horrible Bahamians treat animals.
“This˘” she said, “is absolutely disgusting. I recently visited the Bahamas and while I love the islands what left the biggest impression was how horribly too many of the animals are treated. There is no excuse for cats, dogs and horses to suffer the way they do in what is supposes to be civilized society. I wish tourists would refuse to ride in carriages pulled by these poor horses.” An animal rights activist group also started a petition called “Stop the abuse of carriage horses in the Bahamas”. Up to press time, the petition has 886 signatures.
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