The traditional carriages (Fiaker) that circulate in its center Βιέννης have been part of the Austrian capital’s urban landscape for centuries. However, climate change and increasing road traffic are causing controversy possibility of their withdrawal.
Due to the high temperatures in Vienna in recent days, the Austrian Minister of Health Johannes Rauch, whose portfolio includes the protection of animals, further raised the question of whether the use of carriages is still appropriate in the center of a large city. “Apart from the heat (…) I think it is a bit outdated. “We really have to think, for the sake of animal welfare, if we have to expose horses to this kind of stress,” Rauch told Austrian public television ORF.
Traffic is already banned in Vienna horse-drawn carriageswhen the temperature exceeds 35 degrees. Last year, it was discussed that the temperature limit should be limited to 30 degrees, but no decision was ever made. The City of Vienna considers the federal government responsible and the federal government in turn refers to the Vienna City Council. In June the discussion will return, with the participation of employees in the industry.
Life rights activists and organizations, however, praised the minister’s stance. “It’s time to dump her an end to this anachronism forever. Traditions kept on the backs of living creatures simply have no place in the 21st century. “It’s a great opportunity to put an end to the exploitation of horse-drawn carriages,” said Four Paws.
In September 2021 the same organization had gathered symbolically more than 80,000 signatures against the commercial exploitation of horse-drawn carriages, demanding better living conditions. The animal welfare organization systematically calls for a ban on carriages in the city center and to allow only green areas, to provide shade for horses on hot days, enough water and feed, limited working hours, annual health checks and free exercise for on non-working days. Campaign manager Veronica Weisenbeck stressed that central Vienna is not suitable for animals such as horses. “It is a pity that a cosmopolitan city is still based on traditions that are kept on the backs of animals,” he said, noting that accidents often occur in which animals and people are injured. The list of stressors for a horse is long: noise, traffic, hot asphalt, lack of access to proper food are a daily challenge for horses.
In contrast, the recently afflicted Fiaker industry highlights the resilience of horses. “As steppe animals, they can handle the heat very well,” said Ursula Hitracek, a spokeswoman for the Chamber of Commerce.
A similar debate has been going on since last year in Salzburg, where 13,000 signatures were collected against the prospect of renewing the municipality’s contract with car companies.
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