Cartagena – Horses forced to work until they collapse, later thrown in the trash!

While horse-drawn carriages have been banned in Bogota, Colombia’s capital, the beautiful and charming city of Cartagena has refused to follow suit . Inhumane horse-drawn carriages are something common on the streets, despite the fact that the city's mayor has pledged to improve animal welfare  (and even signed an agreement with animal welfare groups).

Horse-drawn carriages have proven to be a huge tourist attraction and this is why authorities are reluctant to outlaw them. Only a handful of people know the true story behind a romantic stroll in a carriage pulled by these horses. These gentle animals are forced to work almost all day long, forced to endure brutal weather conditions - including the schorching summer sun - while carrying overweight and overcrowded carriages. They are not provided with sufficient food or water or adequate shelter. There have been numerous cases of horses simply collapsing in the middle of the street. Meanwhile, these deplorable working conditions are labelled as ‘normal’ by local authorities and horse owners, who claim that horses ‘are made for all of this’. Meanwhile, all the people involved in this business boast hefty profits, while the welfare of the animals is the least important issue on the table. As long as these business owners are thriving and are able to pay taxes to the city, local officials are reluctant to make any changes in the legal status of horse-drawn carriages.

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We urge the mayor of Cartagena to take a stand against this total cruelty and pledge to ban horse-drawn carriages in the city as soon as possible. Cartagena is a beautiful city and tourists would definitely find other ways to relax and explore the wonders of this place even without horse-drawn carriages.

Please sign the petition to make Cartagena a more friendly city, where animals are treated with love and respect! Every signature counts, so please do not hesitate to take action. Together we can make a difference!