City Commission heard a possible ammendment a current city ordinance this week.
Current city ordinance states that any time an animal defecates within city limits, owners are required to clean up after the animal. This applies to both public and private property.
This ordinance does not specify concern over horses, whether they are in a Downtown parade or as a business derived carriage ride.
However, after the first reading of a proposed ordinance, horse drawn vehicle owners are closer to being required to diapering their horses.
Certain unnamed Downtown businesses within the route of Rockin' B Carriage, a horse-drawn carriage business owned and operated by Kevin Brown, have brought it to the attention of City staff that the horse excrement of Rockin' B Carriage horses is either not being picked up, or being discarded in nearby flower beds or trash receptacles.
Kevin Brown defended his acts by saying that discarding of such matter is good for the environment, and is basically compost.
The citizens that spoke were in support of Kevin B and his horses. The dignity of the horses was a main concern. What horse would want to wear a diaper, let alone be seen in one?
Kevin Brown spoke on the ease of diapering a horse. He currently uses two styles of diapering apparatuses. One is feasible only in the colder months, being more comfortable for the horses outside of warmer months.
The apparatus being used in these warmer months contains roughly 85-90% catchability, according to Brown.
It will be required that, through this potential ordinance amendment, the fecal matter be properly caught and disposed of by anyone operating a horse drawn vehicle within city limits.
It bears pointing out that while the ordinance does not specify Rocking B Carriage, Kevin Brown acknowledged that he was trying to do the best he could for his business, his horses, and the Downtown businesses and customers.
The ordinance passed on first reading 4-0. Mayor Hodges was not present.
A second reading, required for adding new ordinances to the books, and a vote will be held at a future meeting, presumably next Monday.