A petition to protect Bermuda’s horses from being overworked in the scorching summer heat has garnered more than 1,000 signatures, including some from overseas.

Erin Lovell, who set up the online petition after a horse collapsed in the street, said that other countries would be taking note of Bermuda’s response. Her goal is to see the Island’s legislation changed for working animals — including “consequences serious enough to serve as legitimate deterrents for unacceptable behaviour”.

An animal lover who has ridden horses since childhood, Ms Lovell said she had been driven to start the petition by the knowledge that many others in the community felt strongly about the issue.

“The best way to quantify that is to put signatures on paper,” she said.

“Our collective voice can accomplish so much more than any one of us can do individually.”

She expressed hope that “with the attention of key players, perhaps we can get a few of the right people in one room to re-evaluate whether we are doing everything we can to support the wellbeing of working animals”.

Comments online gave her hope that the petition was being noticed at the government level. One wrote: “I’m signing because I feel the Government is cruel to our animals! And this needs to stop!”

Another said: “I’m signing because these animals are made to pull people around in the blistering heat. I was happy when they stopped being able to operate in Hamilton and they also need to be banned from Dockyard. So many times you would see these animals foaming at the mouth from thirst but being forced to carry around tourists to make them happy.”

Ms Lovell said believed that the Island could do better.

“Happy and well cared for horses can only enhance the authentic Bermuda experience for our tourists,” she said.