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Public commenters urge Dallas to ban horse‑drawn carriages, propose electric alternatives
Summary
Three open‑microphone speakers pressed the council to ban horse‑drawn carriages in Dallas, citing animal welfare and public‑safety concerns and pointing to other U.S. cities that have ended carriage operations.
At the Oct. 1 council meeting several open‑microphone speakers called on the City of Dallas to ban horse‑drawn carriages, citing repeated high‑profile incidents in other cities, risks from traffic and noise, and animal‑welfare concerns.
Speakers' claims Speakers noted recent cases in New York City and other jurisdictions and characterized carriage operations in busy urban streets as inherently risky. Several requested the city replace horse carriages with electric trolleys or similar low‑carbon, mechanized alternatives. Advocates argued electric carriages have lower ongoing maintenance costs, eliminate animal risk, and can boost operator income.
City response The comments were delivered during the open‑mic period and did not prompt immediate action by the council at the meeting. Speakers asked the mayor and council to place a carriage ban or a carriage‑replacement program on a future agenda for council consideration.
Ending The council did not indicate a schedule for briefing or action on the subject during the Oct. 1 meeting; advocates said they would return with petitions and asked council to consider animal‑welfare, public‑safety and tourism implications before the next season of carriage operations.
