According to The Oxford Mail, a bid to run horse-drawn carriages around Oxford city centre has passed its first hurdle, even though there has been some objections from animal rights campaigners.
This news comes after a horse in New York City dropped dead on Sunday. The death of the horse in New York has sparked a debate on whether they should be banned from towing carriages around the city.
Oxford City Council has agreed by-laws can be established which would allow horse-drawn sightseeing carriages to operate through the city for the first time in 70 years; however animal rights activists are strongly against the idea.
Another major sticking point would be how the droppings will be collected. A petition organized by animal rights group PETA (The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) drew 700 signatures opposing the plan.
Horse-drawn carriages have not operated in Oxford since before the Second World War, but are very popular in many cities across the globe.
A full council meeting will be held where the issue will be raised. This will take place in December where the plan will find out if it gets the final approval required.