Spain has announced it is “getting rid” of a popular perk enjoyed by UKJ tourists. One Spanish city, Malaga, has announced it will get rid of the horse-drawn carriages for tourists in a measure that seeks to support animal welfare.
it comes amid the controversy that surrounds them after animal rights groups said that the animals suffer, especially in the hottest months, from pulling carriages full of tourists, causing them to be plagued with exhaustion and dehydration.
Mayor announced on Tuesday (January 14): “We’re thinking about animal welfare and the image we want to portray of Malaga to the world. In 2025, there are more efficient and respectful ways to travel.”
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The coachmen, who will effectively be out of the job, are insisting the council do something to find them new jobs and compensate them for their investments made in equipment and stables over the years.
Meanwhile, animal activists are celebrating the news. “For years, animal rights organisations have been denouncing the stressful conditions, extreme heat and long working hours to which these animals are subjected as they travel along the tarmac pulling heavy carriages for tourists,” said the Federation for the Action in the Defence of Animals (FAADA).
“The announced measure finally puts an end to this archaic practice. This decision represents a significant step forward for animal rights and an improvement in Malaga’s international image!” The drivers claim horses are well taken care of and sought after by visitors.
“The horses are very well looked after because it is our way of life; they have food every day, clean bedding and all their vaccinations are in order, and we swap them out every day so that they can rest and are not tired,” said one of the drivers known as Pepe.
The drivers have reportedly already reached a first initial agreement with the city council, which would pay them 120,000 euros to terminate each of their licences. “We are going to wait for a good solution because if in the end they offer less, many of our colleagues will not accept it and we will have trouble,” they warned.
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