An association, which fights for the defense of animals, goes on a crusade against pony rides in the parks of the capital.
If you are a regular in Parisian green spaces, you have certainly already come across children riding ponies, accompanied by their parents.
Much appreciated by the little ones, this activity could soon be only a distant memory.
An animal rights organization is therefore calling for this practice to be banned, or at least for better supervision, in the name of animal welfare.
Photo credit: Istock
The Paris Animals Zoopolis association wants to put an end to pony rides in parks
Last April, the Paris Animals Zoopolis (PAZ) association sent the Paris City Hall a twenty-page report that sounded the alarm, deploring the non-compliance with several commitments provided for in the “Charter in favor of of animal welfare”, adopted by the Department of Green Spaces and the Environment of the city, in 2021.
In the document provided to the municipality, the PAZ thus denounces serious shortcomings, photos and videos in support.
On the latter, one can notably see animals that do not have access to water or hay in their resting area. The association also criticizes the use of the “Colbert” lanyard method to lead the animal.
A formal notice was issued from May to June against two pony operators, working in Parisian parks, but nothing has been done concretely according to the PAZ which denounces this situation.
” There are articles that are not respected, the Town Hall is entitled to terminate the agreements but it does not do so “Laments Amandine Sanvisens, co-founder of the association, interviewed by the Actu site.
” However, at the end of May, Mr. Christophe Najdovski, animal condition assistant, declared that if the problems persisted, they would show the greatest firmness. “, she continues.
Stéphane Michaud, operator for 30 years, is obviously not of the same opinion and attacks the association.
” They do their job as activists very well by pointing out facts taken out of context. We didn’t wait for them to take care of our ponies “, responds the person concerned who does not take off.
” We roll out the red carpet in the media for a few demonstrators while pony rides bring people to life, attract families to the parks (…) people are sufficiently aware of animal welfare to see that our ponies are well treated. These activists want to erase 5,000 years of history between man and horse », concluded Stéphane Michaud.
In view of the arguments put forward by each, there is no doubt that this affair has only just begun.
