In Paraguay, 100 horses are protected, traded for moto-carts

ASUNCION, Paraguay – Nearly 100 horses that have clopped through the streets of Paraguay’s capital for years, hauling heavy loads of junk, are being retired to a farm sanctuary.

The haggard, ill-fed horses pull carts filled with cans, cardboard and plastic that their owners scavenge from garbage bins and later sell to recycling centres. On Friday, the owners were able to trade the horses for 100 motorcycles they can use to pull carts or for any other purpose.

The initiative begun two years ago to protect the animals while offering their impoverished owners a way to make a living. The plan backed by the municipality of Asuncion was launched after a 2014 city ordinance banned the use of horse carts.

Officials in other Latin American countries have adopted similar programs.