Griffith Park’s beloved and historic pony journey will shut for good within the coming weeks, after greater than 70 years in operation.
Griffith Park Pony Rides, which opened in 1948 and likewise includes a petting zoo, will shutter Dec. 21, proprietor Steve Weeks introduced Sunday on Fb. Weeks stated that town of Los Angeles determined to not renew his enterprise’ contract.
“Within the days forward I might be looking for eternally properties for our many ponies,” Weeks wrote on Fb. “I’m decided to search out properties for our ponies with certified horse-people who will care as a lot about our ponies as I do.”
The horse rides have been beneath scrutiny lately by animal welfare activists who claimed that horses on the facility are overworked. Final yr, the Los Angeles Alliance for Animals known as for a citywide ban on industrial pony rides.
“The horse rides concession is animal cruelty disguised as youngster leisure,” the group stated in a press release in December 2021.
In response, two Metropolis Council members requested the Division of Recreation and Parks to rent an outdoor equestrian professional to evaluate the well-being of horses used within the widespread attraction. It’s unclear whether or not these assessments passed off.
In a press release Sunday, the Division of Recreation and Parks confirmed its choice to not prolong the attraction’s contract, however didn’t clarify why town made that alternative.
“On the request of the Metropolis Council, the Division will undertake a neighborhood enter course of to re-imagine the leisure and academic actions provided at this location in Griffith Park to proceed offering youth and households an reasonably priced and satisfying expertise,” the assertion learn.
Weeks, who has owned the enterprise for the final six years, instructed The Instances final yr that protests at his facility have resulted in numerous sad clients. Kids have been screamed at by protesters, he stated, and he has needed to refund celebration charges.
The founding father of the Los Angeles Alliance for Animals, Zohra Fahim, stated in 2021 that she recorded video that exhibits handlers neglecting and abusing horses on the facility. Fahim claims most people doesn’t spend sufficient time on the corral to see the therapy the horses obtain.
Weeks has denied any abuse of his horses, and instructed The Instances final yr that two veterinarians verify on the animals commonly. “I’ve nothing to cover about our operations,” Weeks stated.
