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Protect Horses Before Another Deadly Collapse in the Street
Final signature count: 18,362
18,362 signatures toward our 30,000 goal
Sponsor: The Animal Rescue Site
Carriage horses in Savannah are collapsing from heat while city leaders stall—your voice could be the difference between protection and another tragedy.
In the heart of Savannah’s historic district, carriage horses walk long hours through sweltering streets. Tourists see charm. The horses feel danger. When temperatures climb, their bodies can overheat fast—especially when the city waits until it’s already too late to pull them off the streets.
Current Rules Don’t Go Far Enough
The current rule allows horses to work until the air hits 95°F or the heat index reaches 1101. But this measurement doesn’t tell the whole story. It leaves out sun exposure, humidity, and wind—critical factors in how heat affects a body. A more accurate standard exists: the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). It reflects real-world risk, and when it hits 91°F, the National Weather Service classifies it as an extreme threat for heat stress2.
Precautions Aren’t Enough When Heat Strikes
Carriage operators say they take precautions—like spraying horses with hoses and cutting midday rides—but horses still suffer3. Even moderate work can raise a horse’s core temperature within minutes. Some can’t sweat at all due to a condition called anhidrosis. Without the ability to cool themselves, they are at serious risk of collapse or death4.
Injuries and Accidents Are Already Happening
There’s already been a crash that injured seven people after a horse spooked and bolted through downtown traffic5. And those are just the incidents that make headlines. Protesters have documented multiple unreported injuries to horses, warning that the worst could still be coming6.
A Better Standard Is Within Reach
The City of Savannah is now considering a change that would stop carriage rides at a WBGT of 91°F2. It’s a move backed by veterinarians and equine scientists. Installing permanent WBGT monitoring in public squares is also under review. But this protection hasn’t passed yet—and these horses continue to work every day in dangerous conditions.
It’s Time to Choose Compassion Over Tradition
Tourism should not come at the cost of animal suffering. Savannah has the chance to lead with compassion and common sense. A clear, science-backed standard will save lives, reduce risk, and make this historic city more humane.
Call on Savannah City Council to Do the Right Thing
Sign the petition now and ask that the city adopt a 91°F WBGT limit for working horses and put protections in place before another animal—or person—gets hurt.
