New legislation awaits

by David Huddleston, WSB-TV Ch. 2 Atlanta »

*Atlanta City Council member Keisha Waites*

There is a new push to ban horse-drawn carriages in the city of Atlanta.

Channel 2′s Dave Huddleston was in downtown Atlanta on Friday night, where an animal rights group said the heat is one reason the animals shouldn’t be pulling a carriage. In contrast, others argue that a ban would also put people out of business.

Now, City Council member Keisha Waites wants horse-drawn carriages gone in 18 months and replaced with electric carriages.

Waites says the city can do better without eliminating an industry. She plans to introduce a new ordinance that would phase out horse-drawn carriages in 18 months and replace them with electric carriages.

“We want to assist them in moving to a different or transformation in terms of electronic carry in mobilizing and moving people,” Waites said.

Waites said she will introduce her legislation on Aug 1.