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Residents press city on horse-drawn carriage oversight; operators defend care
Summary
Multiple speakers at public comment urged the commission to place horse-drawn carriage oversight and animal-welfare records on a future agenda after alleging missing veterinary records, evacuation failures during Hurricane Ian and inadequate post-termination controls; operators disputed those claims and described routine care practices.
A series of public-comment speakers urged City Commissioners to put the city’s oversight of horse-drawn carriage operations on the agenda and to require better, verifiable veterinarian records and storm-evacuation plans.
Catherine Zauder told the commission she had obtained documents showing horses were left confined during Hurricane Ian in 2022 and alleged the city allowed a terminated franchisee to “walk away” from a franchise agreement without prosecution or removal of advertising. Zauder said, "Rather than holding the franchisee accountable for abandoning animals during a major hurricane ... the city let him simply walk away without penalty or public acknowledgment of the violations." She asked the city to require terminated franchisees to take down advertising and to enforce evacuation and stabling rules for franchisees.
Heather Wilson and others pressed officials for clearer, thorough veterinary records. Wilson said a requested inventory and veterinary files were incomplete, inconsistent and lacking diagnostic detail; she gave an example concerning a horse called "Jet" whose color and name differed across records, and said the checklists lacked oral examinations and other diagnostics. "These are geriatric horses ... and these vet checklists are nothing more than an idiot checklist," Wilson said.
Several speakers described animal-welfare concerns including heat, pavement stress on hooves, limited water access and long working shifts. Lena Russell described heat stress, pavement temperatures and long-term hoof damage; she asked the commission to consider "more humane alternatives".
Representatives of carriage companies and drivers rebutted several allegations. William Cushion, who said he is an owner of Country Carriages, said horses are hydrated and shod and described regular farrier care; Jennifer Cushion and driver Tammy Escona said they have decades of experience and that their animals show no signs of mistreatment. "We take care of our animals. We do everything we can to make sure the buckets ... are in place," Jennifer Cushion said. Drivers said horses indicate when they do not want to work and that animals are not forced.
Why it matters: Commenters raised specific requests for the commission: require vet records that include diagnostics, adopt enforced evacuation and storm-preparedness plans for franchisees, require removal of advertising by terminated franchisees and place carriage oversight on an agenda for formal consideration. Operators asked the city to rely on existing permits and industry practices.
Next steps: Multiple speakers asked the commission to add the issue to an upcoming agenda for formal review and potential policy changes; staff did not record a formal action on the matter during the meeting.
