Fiaker Horse Collapsed at Vienna's Heldenplatz and Got Stuck: Fire Brigade Operation

An accident involving a carriage horse occurred last Saturday at Vienna's Heldenplatz. According to the Association Against Animal Factories (VGT), a horse remained motionless on the ground after a fall and could not free itself on its own.

Carriage horse had to be cut out of harness

Emergency services were alerted by passersby. According to the Vienna Fire Department, the animal got wedged in the shaft during the incident. It was only after being cut out of the harness that it could stand up again. The carriage was transported away with a trailer.

According to the company Silvia Paul Fiaker, the fallen animal was the 17-year-old Pongo. After more than twelve years in the carriage business, it was his first accident, during which he suffered a superficial abrasion on his buttocks. This was treated by a veterinarian on the same day. His 16-year-old brother Bingo was also examined by a veterinarian as a precaution and found to be without any issues. According to Silvia Fiaker Paul, both horses are well and are already moving freely again in the paddock.

Horse ran away: Criticism of emergency services' actions

The incident occurred during the usual turnaround of the carriage at Heldenplatz. Pongo stumbled with his hind legs, slipped – as a result, both horses fell, explains Marco Pollandt from Silvia Fiaker Paul.

The company criticizes the actions of an involved police officer. Contrary to the coachman's well-founded objection, she ordered the horses to be completely unharnessed on the ground – an action considered grossly negligent in professional circles. "Our coachman reacted completely correctly; remained calm, gave clear instructions, as provided in carriage training," says Pollandt. "However, a single officer believed we were not competent enough and she had to intervene because she owns a horse herself." They only needed to open two straps on the harness, and Pongo would have stood up on his own. Instead, the entire harness was cut – and suddenly the horse ran free, describes Pollandt the course of events. However, the horse quickly calmed down again and, with the help of other coachmen, was led back to his partner.

VGT again calls for an end to carriage operations in Vienna

VGT Vice Chairman Georg Prinz criticized the incident: "Especially in the pre-Christmas period, increased carriage activity and thus accident risk is to be expected. The incident over the weekend once again clearly shows: A big city is no place for horses! Therefore, carriage operations in the city should be stopped."

(Red)

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