BAN NASHVILLE HORSE CARRIAGES
Horse drawn carriages are dangerous, passe, and cruel. They are an outdated form of transportation involved in accidents all over busy tourist areas, accidents with both human and equine casualties. Horses are forced to work in all forms of severe weather for extended hours that are detrimental to their physical and mental well-being. Many cities have recognized this archaic form of transportation as barbaric, seeking out fun transportation alternatives with willing human participants. Let’s get Nashville on board as a city who cares about our residents—human and non-human.
Please take action by signing our petition to ban horse carriages in Nashville.
Nashville Animal Advocacy is proud to partner with a global coalition of activists to ban horse drawn carriages:
Partnership to Ban Horse Carriages
Nashville Animal Advocacy has filed complaints through the Transportation Licensing Commission on horse carriage violations in accordance with the Metro Nashville ordinance 12.54. All but 2 complaints filed have been found in violation of the city code. Even with the 2 complaints that were dismissed, the respondents admitted to the violations. Dismissing valid complaints or finding a violation but choosing to take none to lenient action against respondents is a common occurrence with the TLC.
Admittedly, the TLC is aware of the traffic violations, public safety and animal welfare issues, and the in-fighting between the carriage companies that continuously arise. The carriage companies and drivers knowingly violate the city ordinance and the TLC Rules and Regulations on a regular basis because they realize the lack of enforcement is on their side.
We are well aware that only the Mayor and Metro Nashville City Council have the ability to abolish the transportainment business of horse carriages within Davidson County. Please reach out to Mayor John Cooper and your Metro Councilperson to urge for a ban on the horse carriage industry in Nashville. 🐴 #BanHorseCarriages
The Horses Receive A Victory
Position Statement:
Nashville Animal Advocacy strongly opposes additional permits being issued to any of the carriage companies that have recently applied to add more horse carriages on our city streets. We currently have carriage stand space for 9 carriages, without impeding traffic, and 14 permits issued. With the numerous animal welfare and traffic violations constantly occurring and the lack of enforcement, additional carriage operations can not be justified.
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On November 15, 2018, the horses received a small victory! The Nashville Transportation Licensing Commission voted to decline issuance of any additional permits that would add more horse carriages to our already burgeoning downtown streets.
Thank you to those who came out in support and to speak in opposition of the TLC approving extra permits for additional horse carriages! Together, we can make an enormous impact for the horses!
Please sign our petition to ban horse carriages in Nashville.
It is Nashville Animal Advocacy's position that the numerous violations, inhumane working conditions of the carriage horses and the hazards to public safety are no longer warranted in our city.
It's astounding to us that the city inspectors never find violations or even require the horses to be offered water. Every time we are downtown, we see underweight horses, illegal parking and traffic violations of our city's ordinance, and some carriage companies never offer water to their horses. The treatment the horses receive while not working is also questionable.
Horse carriages are not a convenience nor a necessity, as the permitted certificate states. Horses simply do not belong on city streets. The horses, citizens and tourists deserve better than what Nashville has offered. We are asking the TLC to please consider recommending a termination of the horse carriage industry to the Metro Council.
*Memphis Reference: Runaway horse carriage throws driver, two riders downtown
In August 2018, a Nashville carriage was filmed loaded with passengers, without a driver in sight, and only a non-employee of the carriage company, who is not trained or insured, holding a lead line. This is how the incident in Memphis began. Astonishingly, the TLC did not find the driver or carriage company in violation. We have seen this behavior all too often.
