Thank you for sharing your concerns about horse-drawn carriages in Frankenmuth and for caring about the welfare of animals in our community.

I want to share a few updates and clarifications. The necropsy performed on Ruby, the horse that recently passed away, determined that the cause of death was an aneurysm. We understand that this incident has raised understandable questions and concern, but based on the results, this was a medical event, not a case of neglect or mistreatment.

The City does have licensing requirements in place for all carriage operators, including a safety inspection of each carriage and a valid certificate of health for every horse. These renewals are conducted annually, with the next round of reviews scheduled for December.

The Chief of Police is currently following up with both licensed carriage companies to review their compliance records and ensure all necessary information is provided and accurate prior to renewal.

All City Council meetings are open to the public, and residents are welcome to attend and share their input. The next meeting will take place in November.

Anyone wishing to contact the City directly can email info@frankenmuthcity.com for additional information or to share comments.

Respectfully,
Bridget Smith
City Manager
City of Frankenmuth