Source: https://www.animallaw.info/statute/dc-horses-chapter-20-horse-drawn-carriages
Timestamp: 2018-08-20 12:41:44
Document Index: 44701171

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 4', '§ 16', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 5', '§ 8', '§ 6', '§ 16', '§ 8', '§ 7', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 8', '§ 10', '§ 8', '§ 11', '§ 8', '§ 12', '§ 8', '§ 13', '§ 16', '§ 8', '§ 14']

DC - Horses - Chapter 20. Horse-Drawn Carriages. | Animal Legal & Historical Center
Full Statute Name: District of Columbia Official Code 2001 Edition, Division I. Government of District. Title 8. Environmental and Animal Control and Protection, Subtitle E. Animal Control and Protection. Chapter 20. Horse-Drawn Carriages.
Primary Citation: DC CODE § 8-2001 - 2013 Country of Origin: United States Last Checked: January, 2018 Alternate Citation: DC ST §§ 8-2001 - 2013 Date Adopted: 1991
§ 8-2001 . Definitions.
§ 8-2002 . Horse-drawn carriage trade regulation.
§ 8-2003 . Examination of horses.
§ 8-2004 . Identification card.
§ 8-2005 . Care and use of horses in horse-drawn carriage trade.
§ 8-2006 . Carriage and equipment.
§ 8-2007 . Weather conditions.
§ 8-2008 . Stables.
§ 8-2009 . Loading.
§ 8-2010 . Sick or injured horses.
§ 8-2011 . Maintenance of records.
§ 8-2012 . Penalties.
§ 8-2013 . Rules.
§ 8-2001. Definitions.
(6) “Driver's license” means a valid document issued by the Mayor to operate a motor vehicle.
§ 8-2002. Horse-drawn carriage trade regulation
(A) Knowledge of the traffic laws and regulations, including passage of the written portion of the driver's license test;
§ 8-2003. Examination of horses.
(a) The owner, operator, or custodian of each horse engaged in the horse-drawn carriage trade shall have the horse examined by a licensed veterinarian at intervals of not more than 12 months.
(b) The examinations shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) The general physical condition of the horse;
(2) An inspection of the eyes, teeth, legs, hooves, shoes, and cardiovascular system of the horse;
(3) The stamina and physical ability of the horse to engage in the horse-drawn carriage trade;
(4) An inspection for a recurrence of prior injuries; and
(5) An inspection for disease or other deficiencies.
(c) The examination shall include a certification from the licensed veterinarian that the horse is physically fit to engage in the horse-drawn carriage trade and is free of any disease or internal parasites. The certification shall be entered on the identification card provided for in § 8-2005.
(Mar. 7, 1991, D.C. Law 8-224, § 4, 38 DCR 207; Feb. 5, 1994, D.C. Law 10-68, § 16(a), 40 DCR 6311.)
§ 8-2004. Identification card.
(a) The owner, operator, or custodian of a horse engaged in the horse-drawn carriage trade shall have available for immediate inspection by the Mayor or his or her designee, a police officer, or an animal control officer at all times when a horse is on any street or public byway in the District, an identification card as defined in § 8-2001(9).
(b) In an instance where the owner rents, hires, or places the horse in the care or custody of another person, he or she shall provide that person with the identification card required by subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The Mayor shall certify the identification card following an examination of the horse by a licensed veterinarian.
(Mar. 7, 1991, D.C. Law 8-224, § 5, 38 DCR 207.)
§ 8-2005. Care and use of horses in horse-drawn carriage trade.
(a) An owner, operator, or custodian of a horse engaged in the horse-drawn carriage trade shall:
(1) Not use, work, drive, ride, or require labor from a horse for more than 8 hours in any 24-hour period;
(2) Provide for adequate rest periods for a horse during the 8 hours of use;
(3) Provide the horse with food and drinking water from a clean container of sufficient size and in good condition during the regular intervals during the 8 hours of use;
(4) Drape the body of the horse from forelegs to hind legs with a warm covering during times of cold or inclement weather;
(5) Park the horse in an area of shade whenever practicable during rest periods;
(6) Not overdrive or overload a horse as evidenced by physical stress, strain, or exhaustion of the horse; and
(7) Not beat or prod a horse to maintain a fast gait in any way that will cause pain or injury to the horse.
(b) An owner, operator, or custodian of a horse engaged in the horse-drawn carriage trade shall not use a horse to draw a carriage unless:
(1) The horse is in good health in accordance with standards established by the Mayor by rule;
(2) The horse weighs at least 1,100 pounds; and
(3) The hooves of the horse are properly shod and trimmed utilizing rubber compound shoes on the front 2 hooves and either rubber or open steel borium cork tip shoes on the 2 rear hooves.
(Mar. 7, 1991, D.C. Law 8-224, § 6, 38 DCR 207; Feb. 5, 1994, D.C. Law 10-68, § 16(b), 40 DCR 6311.)
§ 8-2006. Carriage and equipment.
(1) Provide that the carriage used is in good operating condition, the axles are well-greased, and that all operating mechanisms are in good working order;
(2) Provide that the carriage is equipped with hydraulic brakes in good working condition and set in a locked position when the carriage is not in motion;
(3) Provide that the saddle, harness, shoes, bridle, and any other equipment for the horse fits properly, is in good working condition, and shall not cause injury or pain to the horse;
(4) Not use curb bits, twisted wire, twisted wire snaffles, spurs, bucking straps, flank straps, or similar devices;
(5) Inspect daily, all horses and all equipment at the time of departure from and return to the stable; and
(6) Provide that all horses are equipped with a diaper that is constructed of a sturdy material and is properly fitted to the horse to ensure comfort.
(b) No carriage engaged in the horse-drawn carriage trade shall be driven or operated on a public street or byway of the District unless the owner or operator of the carriage has obtained a valid registration and metal license plate issued by the Mayor pursuant to a procedure and fees established by the Mayor by rule.
(c) A carriage used in the horse-drawn carriage trade shall:
(1) Have conspicuously displayed on the rear of the carriage at all times a valid license plate provided for in subsection (b) of this section;
(2) Be equipped with a slow-moving vehicle emblem to be attached to the rear of the carriage;
(3) Be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition;
(4) Not drive or transport more than 6 passengers at 1 time, excluding the driver or operator of the carriage;
(5) Not drive or transport any person when a person other than a licensed-driver or an apprenticed-driver is seated in the driver's seat of the carriage; and
(6) Not have any legend, slogan, logo, or other exterior sign on the carriage, other than its legal license plates and the name and telephone number of the horse-drawn carriage in letters not to exceed 3 inches in height.
(d) The Mayor may, by rule, establish additional inspection requirements for a carriage and other equipment used in the horse-drawn carriage trade.
(Mar. 7, 1991, D.C. Law 8-224, § 7, 38 DCR 207.)
§ 8-2007. Weather conditions.
(a) An owner, operator, or custodian of a horse engaged in the horse-drawn carriage trade shall not drive, use, or work a horse on a public street or byway in the District:
(1) During periods when the temperature exceeds 89 degrees Fahrenheit, as determined and announced by the National Weather Service;
(2) During periods when the temperature is below 25 degrees Fahrenheit, as determined and announced by the National Weather Service;
(3) During periods when it is snowing; or
(4) During other periods determined by the Mayor by rule as being dangerous or unsuitable.
(b) A horse in use at the time described in subsection (a) (1), (2), or (3) of this section, shall be immediately returned by its owner, operator, or custodian by the most direct route to a stable.
(Mar. 7, 1991, D.C. Law 8-224, § 8, 38 DCR 207.)
§ 8-2008. Stables.
§ 8-2009. Loading.
All horses shall be loaded or unloaded for transport in horse loading zones as designated by the Mayor.
(Mar. 7, 1991, D.C. Law 8-224, § 10, 38 DCR 207.)
§ 8-2010. Sick or injured horses.
(a) The owner, operator, or custodian of a horse engaged in the horse-drawn carriage trade that is in pain, sick, diseased, lame, or injured shall take action to obtain immediate veterinary treatment, care, and attention for the horse.
(b) An injured, sick, diseased, or lame horse shall not be sold or otherwise disposed of except in a humane manner.
(c) No person shall drive, use, or work an injured, sick, diseased, or lame horse in the horse-drawn carriage trade.
(Mar. 7, 1991, D.C. Law 8-224, § 11, 38 DCR 207.)
§ 8-2011. Maintenance of records.
(a) The owner or operator of a horse-drawn carriage trade shall maintain or require his or her driver to maintain a daily record of travel for each carriage used, which shall include:
(3) The horse-drawn carriage trade license number;
(4) The identification card number of the horse that hauls or pulls the carriage;
(6) The hours of operation;
(7) The specific location, time, and number of passengers for each ride in the carriage;
(8) The rest, water, and feeding times for the horse; and
(9) A description of any and all traffic accidents.
(b) The owner or operator of a horse-drawn carriage trade shall maintain a complete log of all records at his or her place of business.
(Mar. 7, 1991, D.C. Law 8-224, § 12, 38 DCR 207.)
§ 8-2012. Penalties.
(a) A person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be fined up to $300 for the 1st offense and up to $500 for each subsequent offense.
(b) Any owner, operator, or custodian of a horse engaged in the horse-drawn carriage trade who causes serious intentional injury to the horse by neglect or inhumane treatment shall be fined up to $2,500.
(c) A violation of this chapter shall be a civil infraction for purposes of Chapter 18 of Title 2. Civil fines, penalties, and fees may be imposed as sanctions for any infraction of the provisions of this chapter, or the rules issued under authority of this chapter, pursuant to Chapter 18 of Title 2. Adjudication of any infraction shall be pursuant to Chapter 18 of Title 2.
(Mar. 7, 1991, D.C. Law 8-224, § 13, 38 DCR 207; Feb. 5, 1994, D.C. Law 10-68, § 16(c), 40 DCR 6311.)
§ 8-2013. Rules.
(a) Within 120 days of March 7, 1991, the Mayor shall, pursuant to subchapter I of Chapter 5 of Title 2, issue rules to implement the provisions of this chapter.
(b) The proposed rules shall establish travel routes for and boundaries of the operation of the horse-drawn carriage trade.
(c) The proposed rules shall establish an appropriate level of liability insurance coverage for the owner or operator of a horse-drawn carriage trade.
(d) The proposed rules shall be submitted to the Council for a 45-day period of review, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, legal holidays, and days of Council recess. If the Council does not approve or disapprove the proposed rules, in whole or in part, by resolution within this 45-day period, the proposed rules shall be deemed approved.
(Mar. 7, 1991, D.C. Law 8-224, § 14, 38 DCR 207.)