Caeté ordered to phase out animal-drawn vehicles

A court in Caeté, Minas Gerais, has ordered the municipality to implement a plan for the ethical and sanitary management of large animals and the gradual replacement of animal-drawn vehicles. The decision follows a civil public action filed by the Public Ministry of Minas Gerais, which cited precarious conditions for horses and oxen, including exposure to mistreatment and being left loose on public streets.

Judge Douglas Silva Dias ruled that the municipality must present an action plan within 120 days, with full execution required within 24 months. The court highlighted risks to public health and safety, specifically the potential for traffic accidents and the transmission of zoonotic diseases such as rabies, tick-borne fever, and morrow.

The required plan must address several key areas, including permanent inspection and collection of large animals, the creation of shelters, and the registration of vehicles, owners, and animals. The municipality of Caeté has argued that existing local laws are sufficient and that the judiciary should not interfere in public management.