Horses, fireworks on City Council agenda
Tyler County Booster - November 2007

Woodville City Council members considered a couple of animal related issues during their Monday night meeting, including how to reign in some horse related problems within the city. While most cities don't have to deal with the issue of horses on city streets, Woodville has no ordinance that forbids using a horse as transportation within the city. The result, according to Councilwoman Paula Jones, is that the horses are causing a safety problem in some areas of Woodville.

This agenda item was a discussion item, "to provide guidance to city staff regarding the possible regulation of large animal species (cows, horses, etc) within the City of Woodville."

Jones told Council that people riding horses on MLK street has become a real problem. "On two mornings, on two different days, I've seen a horse tied to a Entergy light pole in front of a house," Jones said. "I think there needs to be some kind of regulation about the horses because their finding the loopholes, and along with these horses are the guys that have the big dogs."

Woodville City Administrator George Jones explained that the only ordinance the city of Woodville has regarding large animals states that they must be secured in a lot that is at least 200 feet from a residence. "But there's nothing that regulates the riding of a horse on the streets," he said.

Councilwomen Jones appeared to favor banning horses on city streets within the city, except during Western Weekend parade, and then by permit only. City Administrator Jones acknowledged that an ordinance could be written in such a way that Western Weekend was exempted from the rule.

Councilman Russ Nalley asked Councilwoman Jones what specific problems she thought was being caused by people riding horses in the city. Jones explained that there were several issues.

"From an animal cruelty standpoint, these guys want to run these horses, and you're really not supposed to run horses on asphalt because it can cause shinsplints," she explained. "The other thing is that children ride up and down the streets, and some of these riders fail to control their horses, which could lead to an accident. They also end up in people's yards eating their flowers."

In discussion, council members noted that when existing rules are broken where horses are concerned, people should notify the police department so the violaters can be given citations.

Woodville Police Chief Scott Yosko told council that there weren't any specific laws preventing someone from riding a horse on the road. He explained that horses are regulated more like a bicycle that has to obey all of the usual rules of the road.

Woodville Mayor Tony Castillo told Council that he would ask City Attorney Ernest Gassiott to investigate the issue and see what the legal issues would be in limiting horse traffic on the roads and report back at the next meeting.

Council also looked at the issue of fireworks use within the city on a request from Councilwoman Jones who told Council that fireworks were being abused in her part of town and she was concerned they had become a safety issue. She was particularly concerned with Roman Candles which, she said, were often pointed at other people and houses.

Council members expressed their reluctance to limit the use of fireworks, noting that they and their kids enjoy shooting fireworks. The consensus appeared to be that if someone is shooting Roman Candles at your house you should call the Police Department to deal with it.

Mayor Castillo suggested that City Administrator Jones look into the legal issues and present them at the next meeting to see if there is some solution short of banning the fireworks.