STOP HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES IN DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS!

Horse-drawn carriages in downtown Las Vegas are a tragic accident waiting to happen. Mixing horse drawn carriages with congested traffic, events that draw large crowds, lots of alcohol, the new Container Park, concerts and First Friday pedestrian and vehicle traffic is just dangerous, inhumane and wrong. And, this is VEGAS.

Please help us stop this terrible idea by joining NevadaVoters4Animals in the fight. Horse drawn carriages in downtown Las Vegas will not foster economic development but lead to economic disaster.

The routes the carriages would use have already been approved by the LV City Council by a 4-3 vote.  We understand the applicants must still get a business license and possibly also seek approval from the NV Transportation Services Authority.  We are asking for the business license and any permits from the TSA to be denied.

Councilwoman Tarkanian was 100% correct when she said Animal Control does not have the manpower to monitor horse drawn carriages. What's truly shocking about this proposal is that animal control had NO input into a proposal that involves horses.  We understand animal control may sign off during the business license approval, but that's the extent of their involvement besides monitoring.  They can barely respond to all their current priority calls due to budgetary restrictions in the city; see the following news sources:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2014/apr/16/las-vegas-city-council-votes-allow-horse-drawn-car/

The same week the LV City Council voted to approve carriage routes in Las Vegas, several incidents involving horse drawn carriages occurred in other states. Doesn't the Council understand that accidents like those that have happened in other states can happen in Las Vegas, too? (See these stories: http://www.wkyc.com/story/news/local/cuyahoga-county/2014/04/18/horse-falls/7890771/; http://www.wnct.com/story/25242109/developing-horse-carriage-involved-in-downtown-accident).

In light of the controversy happening in other states over horse drawn carriages, especially in New York, we residents of Las Vegas are extremely disappointed our council overlooks any negativity and risks. Whether you're a local or a tourist, please help us send a message to the Las Vegas City Council that, rather than providing economic gains, bringing horse drawn carriage rides to Las Vegas will have the OPPOSITE EFFECT and will actually deter folks from visiting downtown. People will just take their business elsewhere UNLESS this proposal is denied. Further, we ask that the City Council modifies the city code so horse drawn carriages are not allowed.

You can EMAIL the members of the LV City Council directly: http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Government/council.htm. Please ask Councilmen Beers, Barlow, Coffin and Ross to reconsider their support of this horse drawn carriage proposal. Please also thank Mayor Goodman and Councilwoman Tarkanian and Councilman Anthony for voting against it.

There are great things happening in downtown Las Vegas. It has grown and continues to draw more locals, tourists, events, businesses, traffic, etc. We hope that positive growth will continue and safety for people and animals will be paramount as that positive growth continues. Please Sign & Share this petition. If you're a tourist indicate whether this will affect your visit to downtown Las Vegas. Thank you!