Title
Ordinance amending the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title VI, Conduct, by amending Chapter 635.03 “RIDING OR DRIVING PROHIBITED, EXCEPTION”.
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WHEREAS, horse-drawn carriage rides are offered for amusement and recreation, with no practical transportation need; and
WHEREAS, horse-drawn carriage rides are incompatible with an urban environment, creating an increased risk of injury to drivers, pedestrians and patrons of horse-drawn carriage companies; and
WHEREAS, offering horse-drawn carriage rides in an urban environment is inhumane to the horses engaged in the practice, subjecting them to extreme temperatures and physical burdens. In recent years there have been well-publicized incidents of horses collapsing, behaving erratically and dying while towing carriages on the streets of several American cities; and
WHEREAS, Eliminating horse-drawn carriage rides in Pittsburgh will promote community awareness of animal welfare, bolster the City’s stance against animal cruelty, and, in turn, foster a more humane environment.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh enacts as follows:
Section 1: The City Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title 6: Conduct, Article III: Dogs, Cats and Other Animals, Chapter 635: Other Animals and Fowl, Section 635.03: Riding or Driving Prohibited; Exception, is hereby amended to add the following underlined language:
§ 635.03 - RIDING OR DRIVING PROHIBITED; EXCEPTION.
No person shall ride or drive any animal drawn conveyance on any street or sidewalk within the City, except such as the Chief of Police may permit in a parade or other special event, or except that the Director of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure may authorize horse-drawn carriages on designated streets in the Central Business District at designated times,
Upon the effective date of this ordinance, the Commissioner of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection shall not issue any new or renewed horse-drawn carriage licenses.
Upon the effective date of this ordinance, the Executive Director of Animal Care and Control shall not issue any new licenses for a horse intended to be used for the purpose of drawing a carriage.
SECTION 2:
All ordinances and code sections and parts of ordinances and code sections in conflict herewith are repealed to the extent of any such conflict.
SECTION 3:
If any Section, Subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Chapter is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Chapter. The Council declares that it would have passed this Chapter, and each Section, Subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more Sections, Subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases may be declared invalid or unconstitutional and, if for any reason this Chapter should be declared invalid or unconstitutional, then the remaining Section, Subsection, sentence, clause or phrases shall be in full force and effect.
SECTION 4:
This Ordinance shall be effective upon the Mayor’s signature or, if the Mayor does not sign the Ordinance, it shall be effective eleven (11) days after its enactment by Council.