Italian regions ban horse‑drawn carriages and restrict pet exposure amid heatwave

The Palermo municipal Animal Welfare Department announced an urgent ordinance that halts all horse‑drawn carriage traffic for the day following a civil‑protection red‑alert for extreme temperatures. The measure aims to protect the horses while the city transitions the service to electric traction.

In Calabria, regional President Roberto Occhiuto signed a contingency order that bans leaving companion animals on balconies, terraces, verandas, courtyards or any unshaded outdoor area between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The rule, effective immediately and lasting until 30 September 2026, also requires fresh water and permits seizure of animals in imminent danger.

Both orders are part of a broader effort by Italian authorities to safeguard animal welfare during the ongoing heatwave.