CARRIAGE HORSE SAFETY PETITION

Operating a carriage in the City of Charleston should not be a "right."  It should be a Privilege. Accordingly;

The current ordinance designed to regulate carriage operations in the City of Charleston is lacking in safeguards and oversight for the humane treatment of carriage animals.

Therefore, we, the taxpayers in the City and folks who are concerned about the humane treatment of carriage animals petition the City of Charleston to immediately establish a public committee that will address enforcement, health and working conditions of carriage animals. We further petition that an objective committee be designated to include an independent veterinarian who is not associated with the industry and a humane society representative who has experience with carriage animals in urban environments.
  
 * Definitions used in the ordinance, such as "rest", "tour", "time off" etc. be reviewed with the purpose being to provide for the animal's humane treatment.
 * Identification/Tattooing and registration of every carriage animal working in the City of Charleston.
 * Enforcement of existing ordinance by City of Charleston.  Trained Animal Control officer assigned to carriage animals exclusively.
 * Oversight by independent licensed veterinarian responsible for health, humane treatment and record keeping. Each animal shall be inspected at regular intervals using the Henneke Chart on suitability of the animal for work as outlined in Ordinance.
 * Passenger Load reduced.
 * Heat requirements at humane level: The temperature gauge  should be located at the Medallion station in the Market area where the horses work and at nose level. Thermometer clearly visible to public at all times.
 * Provide Shade: an awning-shaded area including white-painted asphalt under the awning, at the carriage animal loading area on Market and Anson Streets.
 *Potable Water and rest available at the end of every tour .
 * Limit Carriage hours. Regular days off and vacation time.
 * Protection for Carriage animals used as transport for private groups(taxis): protected under same ordinance laws as those giving public tours.
 * Stall Requirements: Ban tie-stalls. Require all stalls in the City of Charleston be large enough to allow animals to lie down and turn around.
 * Minimum feed requirements be established.
 * Regular Drug-Testing of all employees of carriage companies by an independent agency.