Some sections of the carriage industry ordinance are not being enforced, including that of the weight being pulled by these animals. During the recent Tourism Commission discussion on load, the city claimed the limit set in 2006 for the existing ordinance is impossible to enforce.

An obvious solution is to weigh each load by installing a truck scale at the medallion station. We understand that the Charleston Animal Society’s offer to purchase and pay for the installation of a scale has been refused. It is also troubling to learn the current weight limit is based on data from a 1923 study and, at “16 adults plus driver,” is the greatest weight load allowed per animal in the nation.

Charleston can and should do better.

J. Gilbert Baldwin Jr., M.D.
Hasell Street
Charleston

(Jan 5, 2018)

Source: https://www.postandcourier.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/letter-enforce-ordinance/article_9a86370e-f231-11e7-bfdb-b3ce20f0797a.html