Colombia’s court ends animal traction for tourism
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Colombia’s Constitutional Court ruled that using animals to pull tourist vehicles is unconstitutional, changing Law 2138 of 2021 and impacting cities that rely on horse-drawn carriages.
The court decided that allowing animals for tourism created an unacceptable exception to the right to a healthy environment guaranteed by the Colombian Constitution. It determined that recreational purposes do not justify causing animals unnecessary suffering.
The court will delay enacting the ruling for six months to give local governments time to plan for the change. During this period, mayors and regional governments must create programs to replace animal-drawn vehicles and provide job training for people who earn income from them. The ruling also applies to related laws, including provisions within Colombia’s National Traffic Code.
Cartagena, a city known for its historic center, already began transitioning away from horse-drawn carriages in December 2025 by introducing electric carriages and removing 120 horses from tourist activities. The city had been discussing alternatives for years, aiming to protect both income for carriage operators and the wellbeing of the animals. Other cities, like Popayán, also started similar replacement programs before the court’s decision. The court’s ruling now establishes a nationwide framework for eliminating animal traction in tourism.
