Jan. 9, 2009 – In response to complaints by animal rights activists, one horse carriage company is no longer operating on North Michigan Avenue as of January 1 for violations of city code.
Kerri Stojack of Ald. Scott Waguespack's 32nd Ward office said the Department of Consumer Services has not renewed the business license of JC Cutters Ltd.
The company houses its horses in an unpermitted tent on the Chicago River which lacks electricity and running water, and it has racked up numerous complaints from the city's Animal Care and Control Commission for inadequate shelter and unsanitary conditions, with horse's hay mixed with manure and urine. It was the subject of a WMAQ-TV investigation in October (video).
A network of animal rights activists from a number of groups, gathered around the open web forum Ban The Carriage, has been holding weekly protests at North Michigan Avenue carriage stands since December 6, calling for a complete ban on the industry. JC Cutters is one of four carriage companies with stands on North Michigan.
Activist Marcos Alcozer said that when temperatures dipped below 13 degrees last month, protestors called police repeatedly. When they arrived they were unfamiliar with the ordinance, "but they verified it and checked the weather conditions and ordered the carriages to go home," he said. It was the first time a city ordinance banning carriage operations when temperatures drop below 15 degrees has been enforced.
When more frigid temperatures followed, activists emailed police and the Department of Consumer Services, and when they checked that evening, a Consumer Services inspector was on site to enforce the ordinance, Alcozer said.
"It's a big victory," said Alcozer, "but it was an easy target."
His group maintains that the horse carriage industry is inhumane, exposing horses to exhaustion, oversized loads, extreme temperatures, and leg and hoof ailments, as well as the dangers of city traffic. And the city doesn't have the resources to ensure that horses are well kept and not overworked.
"We've met a lot of police officers in the 18th District, and they're all great guys, but they have a lot on their hands," Alcozer said. "Hopefully we can take this off their plate."
This month, both planned and unannounced protests will continue to be held, said Alcozer. The protestors also talk with prospective carriage customers, and many end up deciding not to hire a carriage and sign a petition to ban the industry, he said.
"It's impossible to make horse-drawn carriages humane," Alcozer said. "The only solution is a permanent ban." Until that's in place, he said, protestors intend to be out there.
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Spike said, Thu Feb 19 05:48:55 UTC 2009:
It's all about animal activists deciding how an owner treats and cares for their animals. I have a feeling these are the type of people who dress their pets in clothing and treat them like little humans.
It's sad they can't see the difference between horses being livestock and an infant.
The property did have running water on it. Although not in with the horses, it was still available to provide the horses with fresh water daily. Horses do not need electricity, they don't need a night light, and electrical fires are a common reason fires have started in barns causing dealth to many horses. Most happening during the hours most people are sleeping and have no time to rescue the horses inside. Not having electricity in a barn Is a safety precaution.
These horses were cared for daily. Stalls cleaned, horses fed and watered. And even groomed!
Video coverage of the "rescue" and photos taken at the time show these horses in Good condition! None acted as though in dire need for help. A horse that is in need of food and care is sluggish and looks depressed. These horses had their heads up, ears forward, and were totally alert when moving. Animals don't lie on how they actually feel.
As for "horse's hay mixed with manure and urine"….well that is typical for horses, especially if stalled. Anyone who visits any stable that has horses in stalls will see the same thing. The only way to prevent manure and urine in the stall is to have someone waiting to clean up after the horse each and every time the horse goes. I don't know of any barn that does that. They would have to employ people to watch the horses 24/7.
If a hay feeder is provided, horses will pull the hay from the feeder in order to eat it off the ground. Their grazing animals, their designed to eat this way. Some stables just put the hay on the floor.
Horses with winter coats, such as these horses from J.C. Cutters are in no danger from the cold temperatures. The winter coat protects horses from getting cold if they are in good condition…which these horses were. They were given extra weather protection with the shelter provided, without providing heat, which could if provided make the horses sick from becoming to warm with their winter coats. During weather we would prefere to stay in our homes, horses given the choice of going under shelter will prefere to stay outside. Why? Because they were meant for living outside. It's what comes natural for them.
What happened here in Chicago with these activists, is a heads up for any horse or other animal owner who enjoys "working" with animals. Watch out Search and Rescue, Mounted Police, Race Tracks, various competitions, recreation enthusiests, animals used for the disabled, and zoos…some of you are already on their list to stop the use of using animals as a personal servants or for enjoyment.
Pretty soon your children or grandchildren will no longer be able to go ride a pony.
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Susan said, Thu Feb 19 07:43:22 UTC 2009:
The carriage horses are bred and born to work much harder than they are required to work in the city carriage industry. Look at any Amish community and you will see what work really is and how these animals are supposed to be used. These horses are well cared for and are not misused or abused. It is unhealthy for livestock (horses ARE livestock – not lap dogs) to live in heated enclosures. The JC Cutter horses were living in adequate (court approved) shelter, had food in front of them when they were taken and had adequate water. Barns do not need running water and electricity – hores do not watch latenight tv or need a nightlight. Barn fires are usually a result of faulty wiring and 99% of the time kill the horses inside. As long as water is brought to them, and it was, they are fine. That siezure was illegal and unnessecary. People need to stop jumping on a bandwagon when they know nothing about what they are protesting. Get an education folks and realize that what you do and say can have a negative impact on you as well. Be sure you know what actual abuse is and be sure the person you are bashing is truly being abusive. Many of you are simply following blindly along without a clue.
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