GermanyIn Rome, the collapse of a carriage horse on a bridge over the Tiber has reignited debate about whether horse-drawn carriages for tourists should be banned. The incident occurred on the Ponte Cavour, where the horse fell onto asphalt, sparking widespread attention through social media posts. Patrizia Prestipino, Rome’s animal welfare representative from the center-left Democratic Party (PD), criticized the practice, stating that the chaotic traffic, extreme summer heat, and hot asphalt make city streets unsuitable for horses. She dismissed the driver’s explanation that the horse slipped rather than collapsed due to exhaustion or heat, arguing this highlights the inadequacy of urban roads for such animals. Animal rights organizations called the incident predictable, noting that public awareness now makes it clear that horse-drawn tours in Rome are no longer acceptable. Currently, there are 16 licensed carriage drivers in Rome, down from 38 ten years ago. The city has offered these drivers licenses to operate electric taxis instead, but most prefer to continue with horse-drawn carriages, which are more profitable. Tourists pay up to €300 per ride, and similar services exist in other
Bias read (Progressive): The article emphasizes concerns raised by the left-wing PD representative Patrizia Prestipino regarding the inhumane treatment of horses and frames the issue as a moral and environmental concern. The narrative supports the idea of banning horse-drawn carriages in favor of modern alternatives like eT
