Philadelphia is a city rich in history, diversity, culture, art, cuisine and architecture. Being the sixth largest metropolitan area in the United States, it attracts visitors from all over the world.  Where else can you see the Liberty Bell, tour Independence Hall, marvel at the Art Museum, delight in Boat House Row, dance with the Mummers, or follow in Rocky's footsteps?  The "City of Brotherly Love" has so much to offer its residents and tourists – a horse carriage ride is a completely outdated and unnecessary activity.     

Animals are not ours to abuse for monetary gain.  They exist for their own reasons and feel pain just like we do.  The horses that spend their lives in slavery, pulling people around the dangerous streets of our city, deserve better.  Their daily routines are extremely unnatural and horrific.  

The following comes from http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/horse-drawn-carriages/

Forcing horses to pull oversized loads isn’t romantic—it’s cruel. Horses are forced to toil in all weather extremes, dodge traffic, and pound the pavement all day long. These gentle animals suffer from respiratory ailments because they breathe in exhaust fumes, and they develop debilitating leg problems from walking on hard surfaces. In some cases, horses have even dropped dead from heatstroke after working in scorching summer heat and humidity.

Horses are extremely sensitive to loud noises and unexpected sounds—and busy city streets have plenty of both. Horses and people have been seriously hurt—with some injuries resulting in fatalities—when horses have become spooked and run amok.

There have also been countless incidents in which carriages have been hit by impatient or careless drivers. Accidents have occurred in nearly every city where carriage rides are allowed.

Please ban horse-drawn carriages in Philadelphia - they are unsafe, cruel, outdated, and set a poor example for our youth - and transition to electric horseless carriages in the City of Philadelphia! Electric carriages are an innovative and eco-friendly form of transportation that are increasingly being used in cities around the world, largely prompted by the growing trend of “cruelty-free tourism”. They have the same look as the horse-drawn carriages – all that’s different is there is no horse pulling the carriage! Though nostalgic in appearance, they are also thoroughly modern – battery-operated, eco-friendly, GPS-enabled and fitted with USB ports. They satisfy demands for both a historical experience and a cruelty-free activity. They’re a win-win for everyone – especially the horses!

Let's show other cities what it means to stand up for those in need.  All beings deserve love and compassion. It’s time for the City of Philadelphia to ban horse-drawn carriages and transition to electric horseless carriages!

Please share far and wide! People across the country are uniting to stop horse carriage rides in their cities