Animal News - Friday

It's been a busy week in the world of animals and their rights so I was unable to choose only 1 story to discuss. Today, I'll be jumping in to two topics I discovered and wanted to chat about, starting with Horse Drawn Carriages in New York!

worldanimalnews.com/signatures-needed-as-new-york-citys-carriage-horses-suffer-in-the-scorching-summer-heat/

This past week, New Yorkers were issued a heat advisory and given tips on how to stay cool and avoid overheating during the advisory. The temperatures were extremely high and can be extremely dangerous if you are not careful. I know when we issue advisories in Windsor ON where I'm from, we're often advised to avoid going outside period unless it is absolutely necessary. 

A video went viral this past week of a horse drawing a carriage that appeared to be breathing heavily, tense, and in danger of collapsing due to the heat. The worst part was that the video was filmed at 10am meaning that the hottest and most dangerous part of the day was yet to come. The video sparked outcries from activists who say it's time to abandon the horse drawn carriage. I couldn't agree more!

Many will argue that horses are built and bred for servicing humans and there's no denying that they can be useful friends to have, but when it comes to horse drawn carriages, there is no bigger abuse of power. These horses are forced to work several hours in a day pulling around tourists, weaving through traffic, breathing in countless hours of toxic fumes from all of the vehicles surrounding them, and they are expected to do so regardless of the weather. This is where the problem lies!

If the weather is dangerous for humans to be out in, why wouldn't it be dangerous for these service horses? Lugging people around endlessly when it's over 90 degrees Fahrenheit? I can only imagine the air quality at that point! If the New York government cared about the health of these animals, they would be cancelling their services on days where the horses could face potential health risks. Obviously, the horse's well being is not something that the government cares about and that's exactly why it's time to abandon horse drawn carriages altogether!

Aside from aesthetics, there is absolutely nothing redeemable about horse drawn carriages. Our population continues to grow meaning more buildings, more vehicles, and more pollution, all of which contributes to lackluster health in these horses. As I said, they truck us around all day breathing in poor quality air, tense and anxious as noise and vehicles surround them, it's super saddening to imagine their quality of life. 

There is no place in today's society for horse drawn carriages. They are part of our history that needs to be buried and left in the past. If you follow the link at the top of this post, you can find a petition to add your name to calling for the end of horse drawn carriages in New York. Take the time to lend your name so we can see these horses taken off the streets!

worldanimalnews.com/why-did-utah-wildlife-board-members-just-approve-an-increase-in-cougar-hunting-permits-hunters-are-now-allowed-to-kill-642-cougars-for-sport/

Now we head to Utah where the wildlife association recently increased the amount of cougars that can be hunted for sport this year. The number is up in the 600's now with the wildlife association suggesting that numbers for cougars have increased, despite no scientific or factual evidence to support this. 

The cougar territory stretches out hundreds of miles so to take an accurate quote on their numbers is nearly impossible. To suggest that their numbers have increased is without supporting evidence and puts the cougar at risk of becoming extinct in the wild.

Sport hunting is so very disturbing to me. The idea that someone gets off on taking the life of one of these beautiful creatures is just plain sick to me. I enjoy roller coasters for thrill, shopping, cooking, and blogging, so to try and wrap my head around what there is to enjoy about watching an animal die before your eyes is unfathomable to me. 

The fact is, the government is playing around with the survival of a species. There is no regard for the animal whatsoever, simply the money brought in from sport hunting. I say this with every instance of sport hunting / poaching but where do we go when there are none of these animals left? Where do we go when the last cougar is killed? When the last elephant falls? Our population continue to increase and the animal population continues to deplete, is that not evidence that we should be doing more to protect them?

It's time to ban sport hunting altogether! Forget those who will miss out on slaughtering living creatures for fun and forget their money as well. It's time to consider the animals who are suffering because of these stupid allowances. For crying out loud, we are going to see the extinction of so many species because of our actions, why don't our governments care about this?

Head to the original story where you can see full details and make a donation to the Mountain Lion Foundation if you so desire. 

HAPPY VEG