Public critics press city on carriage‑horse welfare and quarantine after video and quarantine reports

A string of public commenters at the Jan. 12 Saint Augustine City Commission meeting pressed the city to take stronger action on animal‑welfare and lease‑compliance questions tied to downtown horse‑drawn carriage operators.

Several speakers cited a quarantine of a barn and a contagious respiratory disease (strangles) affecting horses owned by a franchise operator. Jennifer Cushin, who identified herself as the horse owner, said her barn had been quarantined and that she and her veterinarian were following state biosecurity directives. “No dead horses,” she told the commission, asking the public not to visit the barn during the quarantine.

Other commenters directly alleged animal abuse. Catherine Zoda told the commission she had video evidence taken Dec. 13 that shows the owner of Country Carriages striking a small horse at the city stable; she said the owner appears on video to admit the act and quoted the owner, reporting that he said: “I ain't gonna lie. I screwed up. I lost my temper.” Zoda urged the city to revoke the operator’s lease and franchise agreement if the conduct is confirmed.

Residents raised related concerns, including inconsistent or incomplete veterinary records and the city’s process for enforcing lease and franchise violations. Heather Wilson cited public‑records obligations and asked that city records about horses and vet exams be made available and that the commission address what she called “atrocious” recordkeeping and the potential for offloading animals that might fail fitness checks.

Some carriage‑industry representatives and other residents also spoke in support of a regulated carriage business, calling for clear standards rather than outright bans. Jason Judge, a driver and longtime industry worker, said: “I support horse drawn carriage rides in Saint Augustine. When it's done right and it's regulated, regulations in place for stabling and ... daily care and workloads for horses, it's magical.” Aaron Jockers, who identified himself as a carriage operator, said his horses are monitored and that carriers not keeping horses on city property would not be affected by the quarantine.

No formal enforcement action or vote was taken at the meeting on carriage leases or franchises; commissioners and staff indicated that specific enforcement and regulatory questions fall under separate administrative and licensing processes and that staff will follow up on public‑records requests and enforcement referrals. Some speakers asked the commission to place the matter on a future agenda so the public could have more time to present documentary evidence and for staff to outline enforcement options.

The city did not issue new penalties or take immediate franchise‑termination action during the meeting. Councilmembers asked staff to review the records, confirm the quarantine and vet findings, and report back on any enforcement steps available under lease or franchise agreements.

Next steps: staff to gather and report on records and enforcement options; the commission may consider agendaing specific enforcement or lease‑revocation measures if evidence supports such steps.