Charleston Animal Society Raises Concern About Horse-Drawn Wagons in City

CHARLESTON, SC  – Charleston Animal Society expressed concern about the safety of both humans and animals involved in the practice of horse-drawn wagons in downtown Charleston following another accident this morning. Initial media and police reports suggest that a horse was spooked by a cement mixer truck, then collapsed onto the hot pavement, and was unable to stand until heavy machinery was brought in to lift the horse to its feet.

“Citizens began contacting Charleston Animal Society this morning after the incident occurred and we immediately contacted City of Charleston Police Dept. Animal Control to ensure there was an expedient response,” stated Joe Elmore, Charleston Animal Society’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are calling for an independent review of today’s accident. We have an ongoing concern for the health and welfare of, not only this horse, but all of the horses that are pulling wagons downtown. We are equally concerned about the safety of both residents and visitors in our city when they are walking the streets and riding in the wagons. We hope that the horse recovers, but the horse nor the citizens and tourists, should have been placed in harm’s way in the first place.”

Full details of the accident are not available at this time.

“Charleston Animal Society is calling for a complete and transparent review of the accident and the horse’s medical condition leading up to and following the incident As South Carolina’s first and oldest animal organization, along with being accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the Animal Society is qualified and requests to participate in an independent review of the accident due to the City of Charleston’s financial relationship with the horse-drawn wagon vendors,” stated Elmore.

Charleston Animal Society is not opposed to the use of horses and other equines in pulling carts and carriages for hire, provided that all of the animals’ physiological and behavioral needs are fully met, housing and stable conditions are humane and their working hours and conditions are carefully regulated and independently monitored as to temperature, humidity, proximity to traffic, rest periods, etc. Working equines should receive regular veterinary and farrier care and be provided a humane retirement when no longer able to work.

“We are saddened to see another accident involving horse-drawn wagons in downtown Charleston and remain committed to ensuring that horses and all animals in our community are treated humanely and that situations such as this are prevented in the future,” stated Elmore.