A late-night ride through Uptown Charlotte over the weekend ended with a loose horse being struck by a vehicle.
According to a video from a bystander, two men were riding horses along East 7th Street late Friday night when one rider fell off. The horse then ran loose through nearby streets.
About a block later, at East 7th Street and North College Street, the horse entered the intersection and was hit by a passing vehicle. Witnesses at the scene report that the horse got back up and did not appear to be seriously injured.
Here’s the full video of the incident (viewer discretion advised):
City ordinances and state law make clear that riding a horse on public roads is legal in North Carolina. Under North Carolina General Statute §20-171, traffic laws apply to “persons riding an animal” on a highway, effectively recognizing horses as a form of transportation.
However, local law places clear limits on how animals can be ridden in the city. Under Charlotte Code Section 3-70, it is illegal to engage in “reckless riding or driving of an animal.”
Additional ordinances also prohibit allowing animals to roam freely on public streets, reinforcing requirements that livestock remain under control.
Police said both riders were charged with public disorder and disorderly conduct.
