Adams calls for regulation of horse-drawn carriage businesses

Mayor asks city bureau to write rules for animals' working conditions

The Portland Tribune, Sep 14, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (8 Reader comments)

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About six weeks after a horse died in downtown, Portland Mayor Sam Adams has asked the Revenue Bureau to regulate the few horse-drawn carriage businesses operating in the city.

In a Sept. 10 letter to Sue Klobertanz, head of the Bureau of Revenue, Adams recommended that the agency take write new city codes to cover working conditions for the businesses and their animals.

“After hearing from both sides of this issue, I came to the conclusion that regulation of the horse-drawn carriage industry is necessary for both the well-being of horses and Portlanders alike,” Adams wrote to Klobertanz. “However, I do not want regulation to be a hindrance to horse carriage operators or unenforceable by the city. That is why I am hoping the Revenue Bureau will write new city code that sets a limit on the maximum temperature and humidity and hours in a day that a horse may pull a carriage in the city so we can hopefully prevent another event like the one this August.”

The mayor’s letter came after several groups and citizens called for changes in the way the city deals with horse-drawn carriages after a 23-year-old horse named Balatore died Aug. 1 in front of the Central Library Building while pulling newlyweds in a carriage. The horse’s death came during the end of a 10-day heat wave in which temperatures hovered in the 90s or higher for several days.

In mid-August, Oregon’s Humane Society called for Adams to either ban horse-drawn carriages on city streets or impose strong regulations to prevent another horse’s death. Sharon M. Harmon, the Humane Society’s executive director, sent a one-page letter to Adams calling for the city to enact nearly a dozen strict rules for the businesses to ensure the safety of horses.

Among the rules the group would like to see imposed are: limited work hours for carriage horses, regular rest breaks for the animals, prohibiting horse-drawn carriages on city streets but allowing them on private property or in public parks, weight restrictions for carriages and imposing a mandatory retirement age for the animals.

After the animal’s death, Adams’ staff began studying the issue and the mayor considered regulations on the horse-drawn carriage businesses. Other groups have weighed in on the situation, including the Northwest office of In Defense of Animals.

Adams said he had heard from “hundreds of people across the United States” who asked him to ban or regulate the horse-drawn carriage businesses. His staff met with several organizations, owners of the horse that died and Multnomah County Animal Services to gather information before proposing any action.

There was no schedule for when the new city code covering horse-drawn carriage businesses would be completed or implemented.

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Reader comments

Re: Adams calls for regulation of horse-drawn carriage businesses

any word on regulating driving with pants down?

so drivers have accidents while doing that.

"Davidtoo"

(email verified)

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 07:45 AM

Re: Adams calls for regulation of horse-drawn carriage businesses

Once again, for the one-zillionth time in American history...

The irresponsible actions of one overshadow the responsible acts of the many.

Because one company didn't gauge the weather or their horse's health correctly, and make a responsible decision as a result, other operators must now face the red-tape boondoggle that is regulation.

And OHS, animal rights activists, and the government, rather than being content with the natural consequences of such actions and the message it sends to all the other carriage operators and the public, and rather than letting things take their natural course as a result, decides that one slip-up requires them to step in and save everyone else from themselves.

News flash, Sam Adams - carriage operators have it in their best interests to protect their horses. Have you ever bought a horse? They are EXPENSIVE. Even if you don't view your horse as an animal with thoughts and a personality, it's still an expensive investment. Even an uncaring person would want to do what's best for the horse from that perspective. But most horse owners - carriage operators or not - also have affection for their animals and want to care for them from that level too.

But no...one mistake happens, and Super Sam thinks he needs to step in at the behest of armchair know-it-alls who think an inefficient beauracracy is going to prevent this from happening again.

The most dangerous words ever uttered..."there ought to be a law..."

"JG"

(email verified)

Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 09:15 AM

Re: Adams calls for regulation of horse-drawn carriage businesses

Would some one please explain this to me how can the "Revenue Bureau to regulate the few horse-drawn carriage businesses operating in the city" how can they regulate animal wellfair or a bussiness?

As a pony sitter "I watch a couple for some friends of mine" I do feal that there should be some rules in place for the protection of the horses like no work when the temp is above say 95 just keep it simple.