Letter from LAV on the carriages in Rome:
The Only Solution For the Horses of Rome
The roads that the Roman horses run through each day are paved with history, controversy and risk.
The name of the 'botticelle' can be etymologically traced back to their original function as a means of moving goods, but are now used as means to transport tourists in the city The history is rich. Historical archives and period reproductions depict the life of these coaches which were prominent in the Roman streets and piazza until the early decades of last century. This, therefore, demonstrates how at the time, they were the only effective means of transport in a Rome that was still spacious and quiet. That city has now disappeared. Those times were quite different from the urban context in which they are forced to move today. The descendants of those horses- in the name of a tradition- are forcibly maintained beyond the objective needs and the changing public awareness in a city known worldwide for its rich cultural heritage.
The controversy about the many critical aspects of this 'service' has recently managed to gain some space in the media and institutions thanks to the voice of those who, for some time, oppose it for reasons of conscience for the welfare of the animal and public spirit.
The risks they encounter every day are real. The horses are hitched to the “barrels, forced to move in a wild and congested traffic.” Even for human inhabitants and guests of the capital, the blend of pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, public transport drivers and cars is so intense and violent it can be difficult to submit to the rules of the road. This is not a in a livable situation for the horses. Within such a scenario, the carriages- which are slow moving and not mechanically- only complicates the already prohibitive traffic conditions in the heart of the city.
There is another point of view that can no longer wait to be seen. A point of view which is not difficult to imagine and so obvious to those who witness it: that of horses. These horses live on the margins of a totally anthropocentric society. They are exploited beyond measure for an anachronistic human activity. Voiceless, they remain silent in their suffering and endure it.
The “working” horses that live in the everyday reality of Roman roads as we know it and we have described, are forced to live their lives immeasurably far from what might be suitable to their well-being. They are subjected to a high level of emotion and physical stress as they move among the crowded roads that are full of strong noises, pedestrians and motor vehicles. They silently perform a task in which they have no compelling way to interact positively with their surroundings. As slaves, they are prevented by human pressure to find adequate rest periods which are inadequate.
For these fundamental 'reasons of horses', for nothing more can be done. The many attempts to regulate an activity have failed. These measures have failed even in the face of administrative measures to regulate their health and wellbeing. Measures such as building modern shelters, renting a fully equipped equine ambulance, the design of lighter vehicles, the identification of urban routes protected and reserved, the additional restriction of the works, resizing the length of a career have all failed. The efforts of the municipal government can actually protect the life and ensure a genuine respect for these animals. All measures now studied add nothing culturally to the city of Rome. The city is so vast and rich in its immense artistic and historical heritage, so ancient and layered that it certainly cannot be appreciated in a passing carriage ride
And it may seem overly rhetorical to remember the Gandhian metaphor that judges the moral progress of a nation by how it treats animals. Yet it is appropriate. The welfare of the animals in the city is less frequently considered the city in its degree of civilization. Many of our metropolitan areas are human environments that have been designed to be homogenous. The horses should be considered in the context of these places. The horses are living beings that have been introduced, and yet, it is easier to consider street embellishment or furniture, tradition and tourist attractions than the horses
In 2012 it longer makes sense to consider a sentient animal as an inanimate object. Horses are scientifically known to have real cognitive and ethological needs. However, like an inanimate object they are easy to drive, like a taxi or a bus. Unlike a taxi or bus, there are no similar modes of registration, review times, rest areas and service agreements and scrapping.
The incidents that have occurred in recent years- even after 2005 despite the intensification of the city's animal welfare legislation-took place in broad daylight, under the gaze of affected citizens and tourists, children and sensitive people have confirmed that no agreement, even if respected, is able to protect the lives of these horses within the city. There is no working agreement that meets their physical and mental status while allowing them to continue to work.
And about the consequences of such accidents, from a note from ANMVI (Italian National Association of Veterinarians) which was published in 2009:'Following the death of Birillo- the Roman horse involved in an a carriage accident near the Coliseum - the Italian National Association of Veterinarians use the words of the Mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, who said it was "unacceptable in form and substance."
The carriages are unacceptable. They have no purpose in the capital for recreational or tourism purposes. Veterinarians make a pledge to be professional and care for the well-being of animals; a profession to save lives
Euthanizing an animal can be a merciful intervention, reserved for extreme cases, reserved to extreme cases. In the case of Birillo Intervention was necessary due to unseemly circumstances for the animal. The ANMVI does not accept that the press has described the episode as, “Birillo is dead, and he was killed by a veterinarian by lethal injection.” Birillo was euthanized by a veterinarian due to the circumstances of being worked to death and collapsing. The fault lies not with the vet but with the carriage industry. We invite Mayor Almanno and the press to correct this. They know that euthanasia is a particularly sensitive subject of debate within veterinary bio ethics with the interests of the animal patient and the right to health and welfare. In Rome, it has become clear how this sensitivity does not belong to every citizen.
Therefore, the only action possible today is the abolition of animal-drawn vehicles. We call for the restructuring of the employment of their human drivers, the 'botticellari', a small group of people who, having been handed down from father to son a now anachronistic job can find ample space to talk about it in books and museums, without harming other living. In this way we will keep in check public opinion and all parties will benefit.
The disposal of the barrels would also provide the opportunity for the city of Rome to demonstrate a deep sense of civility and modernity as well as provide an example for other Italian communities, where similar examples of animal exploitation are also still in force. Clearing the streets of Rome of mournful carriages also means freeing the cultural image of the city from the burden of iniquity. Therefore, Rome will become very attractive in its ability to evolve over time in favor of all animals, both human and nonhuman.
Saturday, June 4: For the occasion of Horses Without Carriages International Day, with
LAV - Lega Anti Vivisection Onlus comes to the streets of Rome to show their opposition to the continuation of the cruel and anachronistic horse carriages.
The botticellle are based on the exploitation of poor horses enslaved in the name of a tradition that no longer has any link with the identity and image of contemporary Rome. According to a recent online survey of Repubblica.it October 2010 as many as 89% of Roman advocates the abolition of the barrels.
The initiative is aimed at all groups and all citizens who wish to demonstrate peacefully. Information materials will be distributed and you can sign the petition OIPA.
"Volunteer attacked by Carriage Driver"
The association against the use of carriages in the city charges that on, "Saturday, April 2 at Piazza Venezia, one of our volunteers was hit, pushed and spit on by a Carriage Driver, and the Commune di Roma has not done anything., “ said Councilor Visconti, "This is a very serious episode. Environmental and Animal Rights Once again, groups will meet soon"
“Once again, another attack by a carriage driver in Rome.” This was the accusation of OIPA, an organization that fights for the abolition of horse drawn carriages in Rome "The carriages in the capital continue to be a problem, not only for horses, but also for the safety of the citizens themselves, who are more increasingly victims of violence by one of the coachmen. They said in a statement.
The story of the episode: "On Saturday, April 2, at Piazza Venezia, a volunteer of OIPA who was who was raising awareness on the suffering the horses endure due to the carriages of the barrels was attacked by a driver. He, “Got out of his carriage in a threatening way , gave a strong push making the volunteer nearly fall to the ground and, not content, he also spit on the volunteers head. "
"The volunteer, who also suffers from a severe disability was literally shocked and filed a regular complaint against the driver responsible for this shameful behavior, “ The association continues, “Now add this episode to a long series of violent acts against citizens guilty only of worrying about and voicing their concerns about the health of those 90 horses, that every day in all weather conditions, with virtually no time restrictions, are forced to tow cars overloaded with tourists, the streets of downtown, in the middle of the traffic and smog. "
"How can this state of events continue under the eyes of the authorities? If somehow the driver had been taken to date he would not have had that arrogant attitude arrogant think it is so easy to attack a fellow citizen of Rome, "Said OIPA.”People are sensitive to the fate of the horses, are increasingly outraged, as well as the absence of measures for the protection of animals, including the immunity enjoyed by this category of coachmen. OIPA wants to promote the electric carriages, as announced by ' municipal administration two years and yet has not yet been seen. “How much more will have to wait to put an end to this issue? “Said the note from OIPA, “The City of Rome makes promises with words and written paper (which is reality these resolutions are ineffective and never applied), but still no concrete change.”
Solidarity with the attacked volunteer was expressed by, Patrizia Prestipino: ''The attack suffered by an OIPA volunteer is yet another disturbing episode that features yet anothercarriage driver. The gesture is even more serious because the victim is a disabled woman on disability who is only guilty of being concerned with animals’ well being. For months the City has continued to promise a solution to this anachronistic service, but has not changed anything and continues to add up the reactions displayed by the coachmen who have no fear of losing the privileges they enjoy. Obviously someone is comfortable that things remain as they are.''
The story also spoke of the deputy in charge of Roma,, Marco Visconti, '' the aggression perpetrated against a volunteer is a very serious incident, an unacceptable and cowardly act and I therefore offer the greatest solidarity,” said Visconti, “And the strongest condemnation against those who committed the violent act. In the coming days I intend to meet with animal rights groups to review progress on the issue of horse drawn carriage in Rome.'' End Story.
How many of these violent episodes need to occur before the city of Rome wakes up? this is UNACCEPTABLE! We want a total ban, NOW.
If you are visiting in Rome, please enjoy Rome on foot, on a bike, by bus, by Segway, or taxi. Taking a Carriage ride in Rome means you support not only cruelty to horses in Rome, but violent drivers and corruption. There are laws that are never implemented, and the drivers have no set rates.
"Obviously someone is comfortable that things remain as they are"
What we want to know is, "WHO IS PROTECTING THE CARRIAGE DRIVERS IN ROME?"
Laura Bogliolo
ROME - They're trying to change jobs, leaving behind the carriages drawn by weary horses, forced to survive in the traffic of the center. Eleven of the 42 carriage drivers working in the Capital have asked the Department of Transportation to change their authorization to a taxi license. These requests date back to December, when directing the Department of Transportation was Sergio Marchi. In recent months, the drivers continued to express a willingness to change jobs and have met with the department. They are not asking for new permits but rather, a change in the type of permits already issued. The possibility of transforming a carriage license by coachmen into that of a Taxi license is due to a municipal resolution adopted a year and a half ago.
"There is a resolution that the council passed in the courtroom,” -said the Minister for Transportation, Antonello Aurigemma, “ Once we receive requests the Department and the Board will only respect the will of the Council, we welcome such requests, and the offices will work to initiate the process that leads to the issuing of of taxi licenses.”
“It’s all set,” explains Luca Gramazio, “The resolution allows this because the service offered by coachmen also concerns public transport." Simply change the type of license from carriage permit to taxi license. The issue of the botticelle is still a very controversial issue. Recently, the Undersecretary of Health, Francesca Martini, has requested that the city the city prepare warning signs in the areas where the coachmen park, which indicate the time schedules and obligations for the drivers. Not only that, Martini, in response to a question of five members, has listed all the measures that the City should have taken and included in the regulations governing the taxi should include the carriages.
Among these improved controls for the protection of animals which are still often forced to operate in the hottest hours and without rest would be the creation of protected routes with the provision of equipped parking areas and provision on operating hours.
Too many problems are still unresolved, including poor sanitary conditions, the crimes committed daily by coachmen with horses going at a trot (a practice forbidden) and next to the driver (the law prohibited for security reasons), as well as horses being forced to work during forbidden hours. In Defense of Animals has also drafted the actress Franca Valeri, who in a letter sent to Il Messaggero, appeals to save the worn out horses, with their head locked to the ground, forever locked in old blinders. "Rome - wrote Valeri - has no more space, or wind for a carriage ride."
