Riding the Philippine’s version of a horse-drawn carriage in the historic area of Intramuros seems fun, but it’s not completely harmless.
Philippine Animal Welfare Society says the troop of horses used by “kalesa” operators in Manila live and die without ever seeing a veterinarian.
And when the horses suffer injuries or ailments, operators or drivers “make do with old wives’ concoctions, ranging from motor oil rubbed on wounds and open sores, and bleeding them out themselves to ‘cure’ them of lameness.”
Our four-legged friends are also kept in stables so tiny they have no option but to sleep standing up. (Horses can’t attain deep REM sleep by standing.)
Those stables, if there are any, have never been inspected by the animal welfare division of the Bureau of Animal Industry. Ever, PAWS alleges.
To stop this inhumane act, PAWS has set up an online petition, addressed to the Intramuros Administration, to demand better care for the animals.
This includes enforcing the regulated passenger capacity, a strict eight-hours-only schedule and quarterly visits to a veterinarian.
As of this writing, the petition has garnered 2,286 of the 3,000 signatures it needs.
To sign the petition, go here.
