South Carolina carriage tours scrutinized

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The welfare of carriage horses that clip-clop around this historic city is under scrutiny again from residents, months before a panel was to release proposed regulations.

For years, Charleston has regulated routes but now is trying to come up with rules governing how companies should care for the most important part of a multimillion-dollar industry that has helped define this tourist destination.

However, a group of residents, dubbed the Carriage Horse Safety Committee, claims animals often get sick and die in cramped stables because of the workload. The group wants tougher temperature thresholds that would be the cutoff for tours.

Carriage companies deny the group's claims and suggest those pushing for stricter guidelines are more interested in keeping the tours away from their homes on the downtown peninsula.