Horse's death on New York City street prompts renewed calls for ban on carriages
HELL'S KITCHEN, Manhattan (WABC) -- There are renewed calls for a ban on horse-drawn carriages in New York City after a horse collapsed and died on the street in Hell's Kitchen on Tuesday.
The incident is now reigniting the long-running debate over horse carriages in New York.
It comes three years after the high-profile death of carriage horse Ryder who died near Times Square after being overworked on a hot summer day.
Animal rights advocates and lawmakers gathered outside the stable where about 90 Central Park horses live on Wednesday afternoon.
They say the death of 15-year-old Lady in Hell's Kitchen this week drives home the fact that ending horse-drawn carriages in the city is long overdue. The advocates are calling on the City Council to pass Ryder's Law, which was introduced by Councilmember Robert Holden.
"They work the horses to death, and it's sickening," Holden said.
Protesters are renewing calls for a hearing on the bill that would phase out the licensing of horse-drawn carriages and offer owners compensation to retire their horses.
"Cities around the world, including Chicago, Montreal, London, Paris, even San Antonio, have already moved beyond this outdated business, and that's why the majority of New Yorkers want it shut down," said NYCLASS Executive Director Edita Birnkrant.
Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa is a long-time animal rights advocate.
"We are all here from different political backgrounds, republicans, democrats, and Independents," Sliwa said. "One thing that brings us all together is protecting God's beautiful creatures."
Ryders' Law is named after the carriage horse that collapsed and died in 2022. Last month, the driver was acquitted on charges of animal cruelty.
Tracy Winston served on that jury.
"What I know now, I didn't get that information during the trial," Winston said. "That decision for me, I regret, but I'm here to right this ship."
Wednesday's rally unfolded in front of a stable on West 52nd Street. Carriage driver and spokesperson for the driver's union, Christina Hansen, gave Eyewitness News a tour.
"Horses beautify Central Park, it was designed to be seen that way, we're a great tourist attraction, we're great with families, and we keep that connection between the city and nature," Hansen, TWU Local 100 Shop Steward, said.
Hansen says Lady's owner is devastated and the cause of her death is being investigated by Cornell University.
The horse carriage industry is regulated by the city's department of health and it is also investigating Lady's death. A preliminary report is expected soon.
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