(A) Veterinary certificate.
(1) All animals used to pull licensed horse-drawn carriages shall have medical examinations at yearly intervals by a licensed veterinarian at the expense of the horse-drawn carriage license holder. Written medical records, including records of treatment and immunization required by the state shall be kept for each animal. These records shall be kept available for inspection at reasonable times upon request by the Mayor. The medical examination shall encompass all matters which are consistent with usual and customary veterinary practice in the community for maintaining the health and well being of animals used for the purpose of pulling horse-drawn carriages. Such examination shall include, but not be limited to, leg and hoof exams, dental exams, cardiovascular exam, and drug analysis at intervals sufficient to detect inhumane treatment of the animal at the discretion of the licensed veterinarian if drug abuse is suspected.
(2) At the completion of the examination, if the veterinarian conducting the examination determines that the animal is fit for pulling a licensed horse-drawn carriage, a certificate of fitness shall be issued and filed with the Mayor. This certification shall state any restrictions applicable to the animal covered by the certificate, including, but not limited to, hours of work, load limitations, temperature limitations under which the animal may work, and other matters which may affect the health and well being of the animal.
(3) No animal may be used to pull a licensed horse-drawn carriage for which a current certificate of fitness is not on file with the Mayor.
(4) Noncompliance shall be grounds for the revocation of all public carriage licenses for horse-drawn carriages held by the violator.
(B) Work limits. No horse shall be placed into service for more than eight hours per day. A rest break shall be given to each horse after a maximum of four consecutive service hours.
(C) Temperature limits. No horse-drawn carriage shall be operated when the wind chill index, as reported by the National Weather Service, is below 0°F, or above a heat index of 90°F, except where tours have been prearranged and documented with the Col. Donald L. Shanks Municipal Building at least ten days in advance. When the wind chill index is below 20°F, the horse shall be blanketed during rest periods.
(D) Shoeing requirements. Any horse used on concrete, asphalt, or similar street surfaces shall be shod with metal shoes with borium beads. Each shoe should have four to six small beads evenly distributed in such a way that the shoe will be level between the hoof and street surface. Shoes shall be refitted as necessary, but not less frequently than once every eight weeks. Any shoe lost during the work period shall be replaced before the horse is brought back into service.
(E) Carriage load limits. Load limits shall be not more than seven persons, including chauffeur, except that a driver trainee may increase that number to eight, per horse. There shall be no exceptions to the load limit provided herein.
(F) Terrain limits. Carriages shall not be placed into service when village streets are covered by ice or snow.
(G) Age and physical limitations. All horses used in a horse-drawn carriage service shall be at least three and no more than 20 years old.
(H) Watering. Cool, potable water shall be made available to the horse at the carriage stand.
(2000 Code, § 77.47) (Ord. O-11-99, passed 5-10-1999) Penalty, see § 77.99