Caving to activists’ claim that horse-drawn carriages constitute horse “slavery” and “exploitation,” Texas' San Antonio city council voted Thursday to ban the industry – placing the horses in danger of an even worse, and deadly, fate.
“The horses are not being mistreated, but the animal rights activists came out today and really made a compelling argument about, like, they are being exploited,” admitted Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran following the 10-0 vote. In December of 2022, Viagran co-signed a Council Consideration Request (CCR) proposing the ban.
“Animal slavery should be abolished. That’s exactly what it is,” one activist told the council, speaking ahead of the vote.
“(Horses) didn’t help us build the United States. They didn’t help us build this building. They were forced to,” another activist said.
San Antonio has issued permits for horse-drawn carriages since 1865, but will no longer do so under the plan. While the plan will completely shut down the five-company industry by 2030, it will shorten operating hours allowed beginning in 2027.
Ironically, activists’ effort to make life better for the carriage horses may well cost the horses their lives.
When the companies are forced out of business, the horses will end up being auctioned off – and the highest bidders typically buy them for meat – one carriage company business owner warned the council.
"Government should not be the cause of financial ruin," Art Martinez de Vara, a lawyer for four carriage companies, said in objection to the ban.
One scheme offered up by some of the councilmembers who support the ban is to replace the horses with electric carriages.