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PETA To Protest Carriage Rides In Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- For nearly 20 years, Mike Wertz has been operating horse-drawn carriages in the Pittsburgh area.

He's the only guy in town who does it.

And he says he loves his horses.

"I've been in the horse business for 25 years, professional in the horse business for 23 years. We do training and lessons and people pay us to take care of their horses," Wertz says.

But on Saturday, PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - are protesting Wertz's carriage rides.

PETA says the combination of pavement, weight, fumes and traffic are very harmful to these animals.

But Wertz claims he's never had a horse injured while pulling a carriage.

He also says he takes special care with his animals.

"Their hearts are in the right place, but they aren't educated enough in certain areas to make the proper judgment and calls on this type of business," Wertz says.

KDKA reached out to PETA for comment and they have not returned the call.

The protest is scheduled to take place at noon at 4th and Forbes in front of Oxford Centre.

Wertz plans on attending the protest and says he is more than happy to talk with PETA about how he treats his horses.

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