Horse-drawn carriages line up as they wait for customers on a hot day in Central Park on August 3, 2022 in New York City.Horse-drawn carriages line up as they wait for customers on a hot day in Central Park on August 3, 2022 in New York City.The union representing carriage horse drivers in New York City proposed a series of changes to the industry on Friday in response to renewed calls to ban horse carriages in the city.
The union’s plan comes weeks after now-retired carriage horse Ryder collapsed in Hell’s Kitchen street while heading back to his stable on August 10th with his driver, Ian McKeever. A video of the collapsed horse became widespread online, causing renewed calls for banning the practice. Both the city’s health department and the Manhattan DA’s office have said they’re looking into the matter.
Patrick Gallahue, a spokesperson for the city’s health department, told Gothamist that a health department vet is “carrying out the agency’s oversight. ” He said it’s up to the owners to get the horses veterinary care. He did not clarify whether a city position exists for a veterinarian who checks on horses, or whether that position is currently vacant.
In a statement, Allie Taylor, President of Voters For Animal Rights said the findings were not surprising.
The only solution is to ban horse carriages in the city!
By reforms - that better mean - horseless carriages.
How many decades must this go on? These horses are treated horribly, even sadistically by people who should never be allowed around animals or children.