A confrontation occurred in Palma, Majorca, when German influencer Xenia Denise, 31, approached a horse-drawn carriage driver, expressing concern that his horse appeared emaciated and thirsty. Denise documented the encounter in a video, showing her asking the driver to give the animal a drink.
The driver reacted angrily to Denise's request, confronting her directly and telling her to "Go to McDonald's and eat burgers." The situation escalated, with the driver appearing to push his hands toward Denise before throwing water at her and calling her a "Nazi."
Denise later stated that during the exchange, which was not entirely captured in the video, the driver made comments about her appearance. She has since accused the driver of animal abuse and shared a petition advocating for an end to the practice of using working horses in such conditions. "There are still emaciated horses in Palma," she wrote on social media. "Such s*** should be abolished."
The video of the incident has gained significant attention online, with many viewers expressing support for Denise's actions and concerns about the welfare of working animals. Similar incidents highlight ongoing debates regarding the treatment of horses and donkeys in tourist areas, particularly during hot weather. In 2022, a horse pulling a carriage in Palma collapsed in extreme heat, drawing attention from onlookers.
This incident follows other instances where individuals have intervened in perceived cases of animal mistreatment. In a separate event last year, a Dutch expat in Egypt confronted a man seen beating a donkey, leading to an altercation and the expat's arrest. The treatment of working animals in tourist destinations continues to be a subject of public scrutiny.