Animal lovers have hit out at ?the disgraceful conditions? in which carriage horses are kept in St. George?s.

Several members of the public contacted this newspaper about the treatment of the horses, saying they are distressed, skinny and dehydrated.

The SPCA and the Corporations of St. George?s and Hamilton have been meeting to address the problem and improve the conditions for horses in Hamilton and the Old Town. Both organisations hope to work together to raise funds for a shade shelter in St. George?s and to improve industry regulations.

SPCA shelter chairman Dr. Andrew Madeiros said concerns have also been expressed by the public.

He said many of the horses used in the carriage industry in Hamilton and St. George?s are old and pose risks to motorists.

?We have major concerns about the horses in town with the heat, traffic and pollution,? said Dr. Madeiros.

Dr. Madeiros said the SPCA is arranging meetings with the Corporation of St. George?s, the Transport Control Department (which licenses the horse and carriage operators) and horse carriage owners to allow all sides to express their concerns.

According to Dr. Madeiros, horses not only suffer in the heat of the streets but many are kept in dilapidated stables over the winter.

?The grounds are like a disaster, they?re like a dump site,? said Dr. Madeiros. ?What we are asking the carriage owners to do is to improve housing to provide better treatment of their animals. Often these horses are kept on a shoestring budget, they?re poorly cared for and do not have a pleasant home or work environment.?

St. George?s town manager Lance Furbert said standards of care in the Old Town varied.

The horses on Ordnance Island were well taken care of and received water breaks at the Barracks Hill stable during tours, he said.

?They do stand in the sun, but the operators take good care of them, I can vouch for how well taken care of they are.?

But Mr. Furbert said he does not have confidence in other carriage operators, particularly those who base their business out of Penno?s Wharf.

?They don?t communicate with us,? he said. ?We?ve had serious problems and concerns, namely with horse droppings that have been left on the streets. They may be well taken care of but we don?t know for sure since they don?t communicate with us.?

Police have also been investigating concerns over horse care, with Animal Protection Officer Yvonne Ricca telling she received ?tons? of complaints from locals and visitors during the summer.

?We deal with concerns every day over heat and overloading of these carriages and the basic welfare of the animals,? said Ms Ricca.

Dee Charles, who runs a horse and carriage businesses in Hamilton, told this week that she had received many complaints over the conditions of horses in King?s Square.

She said the Corporation of St. George?s had promised to erect a shade shelter for the horses several years ago and to provide a water facility.

?They have been promising a shade shelter there for two years, it?s a disgrace that one hasn?t been put up,? she said.

Mr. Furbert said construction for a shelter in St. George?s was delayed after Fabian destroyed the docks last September.