To: Carol Walker, Bylaw Manager, District of North Vancouver

From: Peter Hamilton, Lifeforce Foundation

Re: Pony Ride Businesess/Blueridge Good Neighbour Day (Sunday, June 8, 2008)

Further to our telephone conversation, Lifeforce was instrumental in helping to implement an Animal Performance Bylaw in the District of North Vancouver. As the person who presented information to the Council I would like to provide some history of the intent of Council. It was generally agreed:

1. To stop the cycle of cruelty to animals perpetuated by businesses that profit and/or exploit animals. In general, the business comes first and if there are cutbacks the animals will suffer (such as food, shelter and vet care). Their wellbeing is not the top priority – making $$$ is. Animals are treated as replaceable commodities.

2. Promoting such businesses leads to possible increases of those wanting to make a buck and the resulting increase in animal suffering especially if all the business don’t profit.

3. It was accepted that it would be morally wrong to support such businesses in which animals could suffer directly or indirectly. At the end of the usefulness of the animals are taken to auction and sold for food slaughter. This happens with the Petting Zoo businesses and with Pony/Horse Ride businesses.

4. The issues raised at the time included both exotic and domestic animals. Concerns were raised about pony rides and abuses found during Lifeforce inspections. This included using pregnant ponies, kids kicking the animals, transport stresses (most animals don’t like being transported), wounds, training methods, improper concrete flooring and withholding food/water during the events (don’t want the ponies going to the bathroom).

Concerns of horses in circuses were also discussed because Lifeforce found horses being trained by being pulled to the ground and repeatedly kicked and whipped.

Animals are stressed by the continuous work, going around and around in a noisy environment and the constant human contact.

5. Public Safety issues must be addressed. Sometimes the ponies can escape and can injured people and themselves.

6. Pony Ride operators will acquire other animal attractions to beat the competition. This could include exoctic animals such as monkeys.

7. Time and resources for organizations to have to monitor/inspect living conditions and transport methods of these businesses is not available. Out of sight and out of mind once the ponies leave. And it is not possible for council to have staff monitor/inspect the premises.

As with Petting Zoos the Fraser Health Authority/BCCDC Guidelines re: proper Public Hygiene must be provided and adhered to. There are numerous pathogens that can be transmitted. People have become seriously ill and some have died. This includes proper signage notifying kids who are touching animals to not put their hands near their mouths and to have access to running water for hand washing.

LIfeforce believes that it was a the intent of Council to have pony rides considered to be included in the travelling petting zoo designation in the bylaw and thus prohibited. Pony rides were often part of travelling petting zoos operations.

It speaks volumes that although operators may publicly claim that the animals are part of their family behind the scenes will sell them to despicable auctions.

DNV didn’t want to support an animal industry in which the priorities of the animals are not paramount. DNV didn’t want to condone businesses that perpetuate animal abuses. At the end of the day the majority of them are not retired to live a peaceful life - they are taken to abusive auctions and will continue to reluctantly serve humans by being served as horse meat. Our ethical treatment of animals must include stopping the inherent cruelties resulting from these Pony Ride businesses.

I look forward to your response.