By Geoff Hamill
Staff Writer
Pocahontas Times
As a result of complaints about horse manure on streets following Pioneer Days, Marlinton Town Council is outlawing horses without “diapers.” Council unanimously approved a revision to its animal ordinance, on first reading, during its meeting on Monday night.
Councilmember Norris Long talked about complaints he had received.
“The complaints I received right after Pioneer Days were due to the fact that there was a lot of horse poop on the highway – Second Avenue and Main Street, in particular,” he said. “The source of one of those was a horse in the parade that had not registered.”
The current town animal ordinance allows horse riding in town if the horse wears a diaper or if a person follows behind to immediately clean up the mess. Long said he had discussed the issue with members of the Pioneer Days committee and proposed either a complete ban on horses in town or a requirement for horses to wear diapers.
“I’d hate to see the total elimination of horses, but we need to correct this problem,” said Long.
Council voted 6-0 to require diapers on horses in town. The ordinance revision will take effect if approved after a second reading. Violators will be subject to a penalty of $100 for a first offense; $200 for a second offense; $300 for a third offense and $500 for more than a third offense. Court costs will be added to any fines.
The ordinance does not affect horse riding on the Greenbrier River Trail State Park. The Village of Watertown, NY, rejected a similar proposal in 2012 because of complaints it would discriminate against the local Amish community. Horse manure bags are available online starting at $40.