If you’ve been to downtown Memphis lately, you’ve likely seen the horses pulling carriages. These are privately owned horses used for this business. They are not given proper breaks, are forced to work no matter what the temperature is, some days with heat indexes of 120°F (July, 2022). These horses often collapse, and are given a short break, just long enough to get back up and keep working. Some of them even pass away from heat stroke and exhaustion in the middle of the street. This species isn’t fit for these temperatures, let alone the blazing asphalt, all day, every day. It’s blatant animal abuse.

I’m petitioning for a restriction on this business when the heat index is above 90°F or below 35°F, as well as a minimum of a 30 minute break every 2 hours. I’m petitioning for better care all around. There need to be some serious restrictions on these unethical business practices. These horses deserve better care. Memphis needs to step up for these animals.