Dec 14, 2007 5:07 pm US/Eastern
Arabbers' Horses Move Out To New Tent
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Arabbers' horses, who for decades have pulled produce carts in the city, had to be out of a temporary stable on a parking lot at Pimlico by Friday.
CBS
As arabbers' horses complete their move to another temporary stable, animal advocates ask if those horses will ever have a better standard of care.
Suzanne Collins reports, even Friday as the horses are taken to a new tent, some had no water or hay in their stalls.
Arabbers' horses, who for decades have pulled produce carts in the city, had to be out of a temporary stable on a parking lot at Pimlico by Friday. Animal advocates say even though a new temporary tent under the Monroe Street bridge may be dryer and on dirt, the owners need to improve the animals' standard of care.
A horsewoman bought two ponies Monday because the city says only horses who still "work" can move. She says the conditions were deplorable.
"While we were here, one laid down and became cast, when their legs are against a wall and they can't stretch out to stand up. He was struggling so much with the asphalt and so much manure," Kristen Mrozinski, a horse advocate said.
The horses have been moved twice and still lack a permanent stable. The city promised to relocate them after it condemned the original stable on Retreat Street.
"We want them to be able to continue to serve the public and the community, as well as to ensure the horses are being maintained and are healthy and in the right environment for this type of business," said Mayor Sheila Dixon.
The city set up the new tent and provided water and electric. A horse rescue person helping move the animals says it's still temporary but better than the original stable.
"In Retreat Street they were in very tiny standing stalls, tied to a wall. They didn't have the capability of laying down," said Brooke Vrany from Days End Farm Horse Rescue.
An arabber responded to the criticism, saying it's true, some of the animals do receive poor care.
"Each owner is supposed to take care of their own animal, and that wasn't so. Some would come every two days. Some wouldn't come at all," says arabber Junior Savoy.
Savoy says he hopes the standard of care will improve, especially when there's a permanent place. The number of horses had to be reduced from 49 to 28. Many were sold or rescued in recent days.
Seven horses remained Friday after the big move, and one woman donated money to purchase them and gave them to HorseNet Horse Rescue because she didn't want them to be sold at auction.
"In my opinion they'd be taken to the auction in New Holland, Pennsylvania and driven to Canada or Mexico to slaughter houses," said Katherine Jacobson, a benefactor.
She's a well known concert pianist and wife of Leon Fleisher. She says it was her love of horses that got her involved.
The city planning department has not returned calls asking about how the search is going for a permanent stable site.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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