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Downtown Salt Lake City horse-carriage rides are suddenly, quietly, a thing of the past.

But the city's policy on such businesses — whether they should be allowed to operate in the capital or not — may still be a topic for debate.

"Now that there isn't a carriage company that is working in the city, it makes it a little more palatable so that we're not worried about livelihood and what's going to happen with horses," said Salt Lake City Council Chairman Charlie Luke. "We can just look at policy itself and make a decision on that."

He said he isn't sure if the council will revisit the issue, but says it is likely. "I need to talk to my colleagues. It's all so new I haven't had a chance to talk to anybody. But it's something we spent a lot of time on last year and early this year, and it's something we may consider."

It was a year ago that the collapse of "Jerry" the horse in a city street and his subsequent death sparked news stories, political debate and protests.

City leaders debated whether to ban horse-carriages entirely but — after an investigation, several council discussions and impassioned public input, decided instead to put new restrictions on the tourism-related company.

Now, with no fanfare, the only remaining company providing the service has gone out of business.

"After three great decades of serving the Salt Lake area we have closed," Carriage for Hire says on its website. "Thanks so much for the memories, laughs, and great moments we have been able to share with you!"

Jeremy Beckham, for one, is ecstatic over the turn of events.

"I think it's absolutely wonderful that downtown Salt Lake City will no longer have carriage horses," said Beckham. As a former leader of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), he had used the death of Jerry — and video of the live, but severely distressed horse, being lifted from the street with the help of straps and forklift — to push the group's goal of banning carriage rides.

"Downtown Salt Lake City is not an appropriate environment for a horse. Our city has grown exponentially since this business was first founded 30 years ago. We now have light-rail, our population has exploded and it's a dense urban environment with a lot of loud noises and that is not a good combination with a large animal, like a horse, who spooks easily."

Beckham, and a new animal-rights group, Animal Rescue and Media Education, are sending a letter to Carriage for Hire's owners offering to place all of its horses into sanctuary homes.

"I hope that the owners have arranged for these horses to have a good life now, in a more pastoral setting, which is more appropriate for a horse," he said.

As it stands, there's nothing but economics standing in the way of Salt Lake City seeing the return of carriage service down the road.

"The future of carriage businesses in Salt Lake City is one that will likely be dictated by market demand and entrepreneurial spirit," said Art Raymond, spokesman for Mayor Ralph Becker. "The opportunity to operate such a business under city code remains in place, but whether or not it is seen as a viable one by a potential new operating entity remains to be seen."

Beckham says he hopes that doesn't happen, indicating in would be an unacceptable retreat into the past.

"Salt Lake City should be proud that we're moving on from this antiquated business."

Dan Harrie contributed to this report.