Philadelphia Carriage Horse Business to Shutter
A longtime Philadelphia business that provided horse-drawn carriage rides for tourists and visitors has been forced to close its doors following allegations that the carriage horses leading the business were being subject to abuse. Under an agreement finalized in Common Pleas Court on Thursday, Philadelphia Carriage Company announced that it will be discontinuing business on New Year’s Eve, just over a week from now. The horses, which were the primary concern of all involved in the matter, will be rehomed at an unannounced animal sanctuary.
The carriage company will close amidst allegations of animal abuse.
According to a press release issued by the city, the finalized agreement “provides for the safe and humane transfer of all of PCC’s horses to a responsible, humane caretaking facility that specializes in the rescue of draft and carriage horses.”
“The Law Department is exceptionally pleased that this matter was able to be resolved amicably, quickly, and with the best interest of the public and the horses in mind,” added a city rep.
The owner of the company and the carriage horses, Han Hee Yoo, faced allegations that she kept the horses in damp, unclean conditions where rodents ran rampant. Yoo’s attorney, Barry Penn, said that she had been running the 40-year-old business by herself since 2009, when her husband died. He adds that she has had a “hard” time keeping up with the demands of the business.
“This company has illegally forced sick horses to haul heavy carriages day in and day out without a license for six months,” said Dan Mathews, senior vice president of animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). “As these horses finally head to retirement at a rescue group, PETA thinks that Philadelphians and tourists alike will see that horse-drawn carriages have no place in the 21st century.”
The closure of Philadelphia Carriage Company leaves the city with just one other horse-drawn carriage company in business: 76 Carriage Company.
