Yesterday, I arrived back in NYC to join forces with the ASPCA, Humane Society of the United States, The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages, PETA and several other groups and individuals to put a stop to the abusive ‘tradition’ of the horse-drawn carriage industry.
We have seen for years, it is impossible for any agency to monitor the horses in the carriage industry properly and ensure their health and well-being. No amount of regulation can protect the public from the danger of horses who bolt when they become frightened. New York City has the highest horse-drawn carriage accident rate in the country, and horses suffer lung damage from inhaling exhaust fumes.
According to a NYC comptroller’s audit, which found a litany of problems in the carriage industry, from lax veterinary care to infrequent inspections. The audit also found that the horses were not provided with enough water, were at risk of overheating on hot asphalt and were forced to stand in their own waste because of inadequate drainage.
Vets even say that ‘Lameness and hoof deterioration are inevitable when a horse spends its life walking or jogging on the unnaturally concussive asphalt of city streets’
On Sat, April 27 we held a meeting for locals who are concerned about these horses. At the meeting, Daniel talked about the history of the horse-drawn carriage industry and what people could do to help raise public awareness.
After the meeting, we all went near the hack lines (hack line is where the horses/carriage stand, with no shade, while the driver attempts to grab people to go for a ride.) with posters and post cards for people to sign to voice their concerns about the abusive industry.
It was a very productive day we talked to hundreds of people and they were very supportive of the ban on horse drawn carriage in NYC.
New York City Council Member Tony Avella introduced groundbreaking legislation that would ban the abusive horse-drawn carriage industry in the city. So the time is now for us all to let the city council members know that this cruel and outdated industry needs to end.
If you are in the NYC area and would like to help; please let me know because I will be here in the city working on this issue. (If you do not know how to contact me, please just leave a comment below.)
This is great. I was at the meeting and successful demo, and I look forward to seeing an end to this miserable industry in New York City.
As a new yorker and a runner in central park, I am appalled with horse drawn carriages. Please send me information on how I can help end the abuse.
Thanks so much for coming out to the meeting and the demo! I look forward to working with you to end this inherently abusive industry.
Thanks April, for your offer to help these horses - I will be contacting you privately to give you more details how you can help end this abuse.
Great Blog. It is so shameful that many of the city council members won't do the right thing due to fear, ignorance and or corruption.
Pity those poor horses. What a shame on NYC
Thanks, Roxanne. It is a shame that the city council will not do what is right. There is one council member who is pushing for this ban, Tony Avella. Just in the last couple of days several local NY'ers have stepped up and are helping to push this issue through. Its not going to be overnight but we will get a ban on the horse drawn carriages.
Hey STALKER
Its pathetic that the only people who have commented on this (April, Roxanne Delgado, and Mary Alice) are 3 KNOWN a.r. activists that know nothing about horses-kind of like yourself. See you out there Jason Alexander Bayless (940 Gates ave. Norfolk Virginia.) Also, stop acting like your working WITH the aspca-those guys HATE you.
Oh how very nice, one of the female drivers of the NYC horse drawn carriages has decided to stop by and use a little intimidation and name calling - this is just another reason to ban the horse drawn carriages.
April, Roxanne and Mary thanks for being 'KNOWN a.r. activists' its good to know there are people in this world like you -keep up the great work you do.
you do awesome work Jason as always! You are obviously affecting these people for them to comment on your personal blog and take the time to find out personal information about you.
Good job! I really feel an end is near for these ridiculous stunts/activities involving these poor animals!
Cheers~
shani
Amar, please don't start with the threats and menacing. Try to stay within the boundaries of the law. No need to "out" all of us many, many "AR activists." We are out in full force, some of us working behind the scenes and many out on the front lines. Too bad we have to be constantly watching our backs. We haven't done anything wrong and are working to do what is right. The reason so few have commented is that this is a new post and not everyone has seen it yet. And, why are you carriage people taking our pictures at the demos???
Jason, welcome to our world. It's not a pretty sight, what with the abuse of the animals as well as the constant threats of abuse by these thugs. Be careful. As you well know, these folks have a history of roughing people up.
Also, Jason, eager to discuss next steps...can you contact me when you get a minute??
Thanks and keep up the great work!
Thanks Julia, I will be contacting you very soon.
Zan, thanks for the heads up. I have already been added to that history of 'roughing people up' - you can see the video on the blog post, 'STOP FILMING I AM TRYING TO COVER SOMETHING UP!'
Didn't they ban horses in NYC back in 1903 to make way for the less pollutant automobile?
I never heard that before but obviously they didn't ban the carriages because they are still here.
i think perhaps the carriage drivers are more than a little embarrassed/ashamed that they make their living off the backs of mistreated animals and are too lazy or stupid to work elsewhere? just a guess. i lived in NYC in the 90's and was appalled that those beautiful creatures had to pull carriages in high traffic, and on hot days. i think we can take comfort in the fact that like dog fighters and puppy millers, they will all be a thing of the past in the near future.
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