After complains of animal cruelty and difficulty in regulating the industry, City Aldermen are putting forth a ban on horse-drawn carriages in Chicago. While the former of the two causes are in debate between the carriage companies and animal rights activists, Ald. Raymond Lopez has made it very clear that the city isn’t equipped to regulate horse-drawn carriages. According to CBS 2 Chicago, this isn’t a priority because the niche business only brings in about $15,000 in revenue for the city every year.
The ban that has been proposed would come into effect on January 1st, 2021, allowing the companies to adapt in the phasing out of the industry in The Loop. You’ll still be able to see horses in Chicago though: the Police horseback riders aren’t included in the ban.