The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

As a Canadian who has visited Nassau multiple times, I feel I must comment on the working conditions of the horses travelling Bay Street each day.

Everyday up and down that busy street with the heavy traffic must be very stressful indeed for them. Everyday they work in the broiling sun , breathing in exhaust with nary a water fountain in sight. Often the carriage is overloaded, in poor shape and the horses are without proper tack. The horses themselves seem to be very poorly cared for and often have some lameness. I’ve even heard of horses dropping dead in the street from heat exhaustion !!I’m shocked that the Bahamian government is allowing this to continue!

It seems to me that the horses could be moved to a quieter area and if such transport is needed in the downtown area, maybe a motorized transport could be used. I’m also shocked that the Humane Society is not acting on this problem!

My understanding is that local animal lovers have protested this practice to no avail.

While it appears that the situation with the stray dogs (Potcakes) is greatly improved ,we now need to apply the same efforts to the horses in our care.

Mahatma Gandhi once said “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

I hope on my return to Nassau I find this situation greatly improved!

Marianne Barkman

Canada, via email

February 21, 2019