Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Welfare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council passes ordinance restricting carriage‑horse operations after debate
Summary
City Council approved Bill 260465‑a to restrict carriage‑horse businesses in Philadelphia; the measure passed with a recorded dissenting vote and drew testimony both for animal‑welfare protections and against removing a city tradition.
Philadelphia City Council voted on June 11 to amend Chapter 10 (Animals) of the Philadelphia Code to restrict carriage‑horse businesses, passing Bill 260465‑a on final reading after public testimony and a roll‑call vote that recorded one dissent.
Supporters—including representatives from animal‑welfare organizations—testified during public comment that carriage horses are unsafe in urban traffic and stressed recent incidents elsewhere as evidence of risk to the animals. Janet White of Carriage Horse Freedom said veterinary data show harm to horses used in carriage operations and urged the council to approve the ordinance.
Opponents raised historical and economic arguments in favor of maintaining the industry; during the vote Council Member Nicholas O'Rourke recorded a 'nay' with respect to the author of the bill. The clerk recorded the ayes as 16 and the nays as 1; the ordinance passed.
The ordinance amends Chapter 10‑100 (Animals) to restrict operation of carriage‑horse businesses and to set penalties for violations. The measure directs relevant enforcement departments to implement the ordinance according to municipal code procedures and penalties listed in the adopted text.
Council members said the passage reflects evolving views about animal welfare and public safety; the administrative departments named in the ordinance will produce enforcement guidance and timelines for implementation.
