City of Savannah responds to lawsuit over horse heat ordinance

SAVANNAH, Ga. —

The sound of horse hooves through downtown Savannah is now at the center of a legal battle.

Savannah carriage tour operators are suing the City of Savannah over its heat restrictions for horses, arguing a new state law signed by Governor Brian Kemp makes the city's ordinance illegal.

The ordinance, passed last year, shuts down horse-drawn carriage tours when temperatures reach 85 degrees or when the heat index hits 100 degrees. City leaders have said the rules are designed to protect horses during dangerous summer heat conditions.

But carriage operators say the restrictions are too strict and are hurting business during Savannah's busiest tourism months.

Operators argue they closely monitor their horses and already have safety protocols in place.

“The horses actually handle the heat better than we do,†one operator said. “They are a lot better at processing the heat and cooling themselves off.â€

Another operator explained how they monitor horses for signs of overheating.

“So a normal at risk temperature for a horse will range from 99 to 101.5 degrees,†the operator said. “Respirations is one way that we know that a horse is trying harder to cool himself is when his nostrils become larger and more flared out.â€

The lawsuit also argues the city no longer has the authority to enforce the ordinance under a new Georgia law known as Act 379. The law limits how local governments can regulate livestock on public roads, and under Georgia law, horses are classified as livestock.

Mayor Van Johnson, who originally voted against the ordinance, addressed the lawsuit publicly Tuesday.

“Although I did not share the same opinion of the majority of my colleagues, it was their decision,†Johnson said. “Therefore, it is the city's decision. And I'm charged to defend that decision, even if I didn't necessarily agree with it.â€

The companies are asking a judge to block enforcement of the ordinance while the case moves through court.

Savannah Carriage Tours also posted on Facebook Monday saying, “There are still a few legal battles to address; the fight is not won, but it's really getting good now.â€

The case is now before Chatham County Superior Court.

When WJCL reached out to the City Attorney's Office, officials said they could not comment on pending litigation.