Italy proposes ban on horse‑drawn tourist carriages in Rome
On 29 July 2026 Italy's Chamber of Deputies received a bill that would prohibit the use of horse‑drawn carriages, known as "botticelle," for public‑hire, tourist, recreational and ceremonial purposes in Rome and other historic cities. The proposal, backed by the Democratic Party (PD), Action (Avs) and the Five Star Movement (M5S), calls for the repeal of article 70 of the Highway Code, which currently permits animal‑drawn vehicles.
PD MP Patrizia Prestipino argued that municipal ordinances limiting the operation of botticelle are insufficient and urged a national law to end the practice. Environmental group Amore A Quattro Zampe and other animal‑welfare advocates have highlighted the incompatibility of city streets and extreme summer temperatures with the health of horses. Rocco Ferraro, Rome's councilor for environment and animal protection, endorsed the bill and the accompanying "A piedi è più bello" ("On foot is better") awareness campaign, noting that continuing to use horses for tourist transport is a practice of the past.
If passed, the legislation would ban the use of animals for tourist transport across major Italian tourist centres, responding to concerns over animal welfare and public safety amid scorching asphalt and heatwaves.
Entities: Amore A Quattro Zampe · Chamber of Deputies · Italy · Patrizia Prestipino · Rocco Ferraro
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The proposal cites extreme summer temperatures and hot asphalt as making horse work unsafe.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The bill seeks to repeal article 70 of the Highway Code that currently permits animal‑drawn public‑hire services.
- [● 3 SOURCES] PD MP Patrizia Prestipino said municipal ordinances are insufficient and called for a national law to end botticelle.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The proposal is backed by the Democratic Party (PD), Action (Avs) and the Five Star Movement (M5S).
- [● 3 SOURCES] A bill to ban horse‑drawn tourist carriages was presented in Italy's Chamber of Deputies on 29 July 2026.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Rocco Ferraro, councilor for environment and animal protection, supports the bill and the 'A piedi è più bello' campaign.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The bill would ban the use of animals for tourist, recreational and ceremonial transport in cities.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Environmental association Amore A Quattro Zampe supports the initiative, citing animal‑welfare concerns.