Police investigating after carriage horse found dead on street in Hell's Kitchen
HELL'S KITCHEN, Manhattan (WABC) -- Police are investigating after a carriage horse was found dead on a street in Hell's Kitchen on Tuesday afternoon.
Officers responded to a 911 call for assistance at 2:30 p.m. along West 51st Street and 11th Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers encountered 15-year-old horse named Lady, attached to a carriage, lying on the ground.
Lady was pronounced dead on scene.
In a statement from Christina Hansen, veteran horse-carriage driver and TWU Local 100 Shop Steward, she said Lady was walking home to her stable from Central Park when she suddenly died.
She said Lady had just started her role as a New York City carriage horse, arriving here in June. Hansen said a complete physical was conducted at that time and no abnormalities were identified.
"Sadly, animals, including humans and horses, sometimes die suddenly and unexpectedly," Hansen said in the statement. "We are insisting that a complete necropsy be conducted by a board certified pathologist at an esteemed university to determine the cause of death. We are appalled that animal rights extremists in NYCLASS are posting photos of Lady, a disgusting and ghoulish effort to demonize carriage drivers who provide food, shelter and medical care for these beloved animals."
The horse's death comes just weeks after carriage driver Ian Mckeever was acquitted of animal cruelty charges after his horse Ryder collapsed on a Manhattan street in 2022.
After the latest carriage horse death, NYCLASS is demanding a hearing as well as the passage of Ryder's Law.
"Lady's death is the result of a failed system. The laws meant to protect these animals are completely ineffective, and every City official knows it. Horses are collapsing, suffering, and dying over and over again - and nothing changes," said Edita Birnkrant, Executive Director of NYCLASS.
According to the city, "Horses must stop working and be brought back to the stable when the temperature reaches 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees C) and above, or when it reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees C) or above and the Equine Heat Index is 150 of above, in the summer, and 18 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees C) or below in the winter."
There are no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing.
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