Animal welfare. Mayor signs ordinance on the ban on the circulation of animal-drawn vehicles in the presence of heat waves

The mayor of Palermo Roberto Lagalla, in order to protect the well-being of animals, specifically of the equids present in the territory of the Municipality of Palermo, today signed the ordinance on the ban on the circulation of animal-drawn vehicles in the presence of heat waves.

The provision includes some salient points:

– until September 30th the working activity of equids cannot exceed 8 hours per day;
– circulation and any traction or transport activity are prohibited every day from 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm;
– in the event of a “risk 3” weather alert, the ban is extended from 12.30 to 16.00;
– 15 minute stop every two hours in shaded areas;

– a supply of water of no less than 10 liters must be available on board the carriage;

– finally, the driver must keep a logbook on the journeys and related stops and must ensure the removal of manure from the areas involved.

“The ordinance is the result of an in-depth and fruitful collaboration between the offices of the Municipality, the Municipal Police Command, the ASP of Palermo, the Guarantor of Animal Rights and the presidents of the Council Commissions of Animal Rights and Productive Activities . Compared to the past, we have introduced a traffic ban every day, in the summer period, for 2 hours in the hottest time of the day, regardless of the degrees. A ban that is extended on “risk 3” weather alert days. To these stops will be added those scheduled every 2 hours for a further period of 15 minutes. Working hours cannot exceed 8 per day. Always with the aim of aiming for the well-being of the horses, in recent months the administration has installed 6 water supply points for the horses in Corso Calatafimi, near Porta Nuova and in the Piazza della Vittoria, Bologni, Bellini, Marina and Verdi, so as to allow the constant showering and sponging activities envisaged in the ordinance. At the same time, as has already been recorded in recent days with some operations, the Municipal Police will continue its zero tolerance activity against illegal workers, while we expect the authorized coachmen to firmly respect the rules prescribed in the ordinance, in the interest, first and foremost, animal welfare”, state the mayor Roberto Lagalla and theanimal welfare councilor Fabrizio Ferrandelli.