SAVANNAH, Ga. () – It’s a heated topic, literally. The Savannah City Council is set to debate new rules today that could lower the maximum temperature allowed for operating horse-drawn carriages. Supporters argue that it’s about animal welfare, while opponents fear it could drive the industry out of business.

Right now, in Savannah, horse-drawn carriages can legally operate until the heat index reaches 110 degrees, or when the actual temperature is 95 degrees. Today, City Council is looking at two new ordinances that could lower those limits and change how heat is measured altogether.

Council members will consider two rules that could lower that limit by 10 degrees and introduce more accurate tools to measure heat stress. One proposal includes using a wet bulb calculator, which factors in humidity and sun exposure. Another would let officials check horses’ internal temperatures. The first proposal would lower the current 110-degree limit down to 100 degrees using a heat index, and the second could lower the air temperature limit from 95 to 85 degrees.

“Savannah maintains amongst the highest operational temperature for horse drawn carriages in the nation. We’re taking a look at lowering that temperature to a 100-degree heat index maximum. This is science backed information that we’re looking to adopt,” said Alderman Nick Palumbo, who is the 4th District Alderman for the City of Savannah.

“If it moved down ten degrees, it would put us out of business. Absolutely. There would be days that we wouldn’t even be able to go out. Even in August, September and October,” said Gary Sessoms, the Owner of Savannah Carriage Tours. “It would cut us off around lunchtime, and it’s simply not enough to sustain what it takes to maintain this barn.”

Semmons shares that his company rarely puts the horses out above the 100 degrees heat index already, and explains if it is too hot for staff it is too hot for the horses.

“Of course, we’re going to be pushing for no change.  I don’t see the reason for here in the middle of the game to move the goalposts or change the boundaries when we’re already meeting and or exceeding everything that they ask us to do,” said Semmons.

Officials say they want to align further with the limits that other cities practice, and that they have been pushing this topic on the table for years.

“It’s out of date. Even the operators themselves self-select to pull their horses off the street well below the 100-degree, or 110-degree heat index. They know that these are unsafe temperatures, and we’re just asking ourselves to put ourselves in alignment with other cities,” said Alderman Palumbo.

As of right now, there are a few temperatures on the table to lower for the dry bulb, or known as the actual temperature outside without humidity. It starts as low as 85 degrees and ranges upwards to 92 degrees for council to debate.

“In Savannah, it may be 85 on Christmas Day, so that would be a death sentence for us. It would also give the horses an uncertain future, as they would be shipped off to various rescues or wholesalers and who knows where they would wind up,” said Sessoms.

Earlier this week, the Savannah Tourism Leadership Council published a Horse Carriage Tours Statement on the issue. Their statement covered a range of topics and concluded by saying:

“Given this track record, we see no justification for altering the existing ordinance. We strongly support the thorough work previously completed by the staff and members of TAC (Tourism Advisory Committee) and implemented by the City Council. We urge you to do the same. We strongly encourage you to reach out to City Council members directly or show your support for this important sector of our tourism community by attending the City Council meeting this Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Eli Whitney Administrative Complex (2 Laura Avenue, Savannah, GA).”

It is estimated that the horse carriage tourism industry brings in approximately $300,000 annually to Savannah. Thursday’s meeting aims to find a satisfactory solution.

Officials say while 85 degrees may sound low, it’s used as a trigger point because high humidity can make it feel like 95 or even 100 degrees. The dry bulb proposal includes possible cutoff temperatures at either 85 degrees or 92 degrees, depending on which version the council chooses. City Council will discuss everything today at 2 p.m.

We’ll keep you updated with the latest developments from the meeting and what it could mean for Savannah’s iconic carriage tours.