Palma bans horse-drawn carriages from 2024 – animal rights activists in uproar!

Palma bans horse-drawn carriages from 2024 – animal rights activists in uproar!

Holidaymakers in Mallorca should consider a trip to the capital Palma, where the winding streets and numerous cafes await you. An outstanding landmark of the city is the impressive cathedral “Le Seu”, which attracts many tourists. But in Palma there is currently an intensive debate about the subject of horse-drawn carriages, which have been criticized for several years.

Animal rights activists accuse the horse-drawn carriage operators of saying that the conditions under which the animals work are unacceptable. In particular, the heat that the horses often have to suffer from causes public outrage. There are repeated calls for a boycott of horse-drawn carriages on social media such as Facebook. While some people are calling for a ban, others are arguing for the preservation of this tradition.

City government intervenes

In 2022, Palma City Hall decided to ban horse-drawn carriages by 2024 and replace them with electric carriages. This decision was made to give the carriage drivers time to adapt to the new requirements. Despite this perspective, the carriage drivers (caleseros) reject the ban. Manuel Vargas, a spokesman for the coachmen, protests and emphasizes that the coachmen attach great importance to the care and respect of their horses.

In addition to plans to ban horse-drawn carriages, the city of Palma implemented measures to improve animal welfare. Coach drivers are now required to provide veterinary certificates documenting their animals' vaccinations and treatments. In addition, the license number of the carriages must be visible on the harness to ensure accountability. Particular attention is paid to the horseshoes, which must be made of rubber. If there are warning levels from the Spanish weather service, the horses are not allowed to work, otherwise the operators face fines of up to 1,800 euros.

Heat stress and controversies

A recently surfaced cell phone video showing a horse collapsing in temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius has further fueled the discussion about horse-drawn carriages. Animal rights activists warn that the animals often do not receive enough water and rest periods may not be observed. These circumstances require urgent and effective animal protection measures, which the city of Palma has now initiated.

The dispute over horse-drawn carriages in Palma reflects similar discussions in other cities, such as the current one in Vienna, where there is also a struggle over the approval of carriage horses. There, the city administration is sticking with approving horse-drawn carriages, while concerns about animal welfare are being expressed by Health Minister Johannes Rauch.

In summary, it can be seen that the situation of horse-drawn carriages in Palma is a complex issue that focuses on both tradition and animal protection. The coming months leading up to the 2024 ban will be crucial in shaping the future of this attraction while ensuring animal welfare.

For more information read the articles on The West and GEO.