Ask City Council members to support proposed ban of cruel tourist trade
 Back in the 19th century, before New York City's streets were paved and filled with cars, the horse-drawn carriage was a common form of transportation, sort of like hailing a cab is today. But in the 21st century, horses are basically a superfluous tourist attraction, sharing the road with all manner of modern vehicles and exposed to the loud noises and sudden distractions of a densely-populated urban center. This environment is extremely hazardous to horses' health and safety, and they all should have been retired from this highly dangerous line of work decades ago.
According to an audit by Manhattan's City Comptroller, the horses used to pull carriages in New York City suffer some of the worst conditions of any working animal. Forced to walk on burning asphalt while breathing car and bus exhaust, and not having access to enough fresh water in summertime, horses commonly suffer from heat exhaustion and other serious problems. They are often left standing in their own filth due to insufficient drainage systems, and are routinely whipped by drivers to make them move. In addition, there is no mandatory retirement age for carriage horses, so they can literally be worked to death.
Horse-drawn carriages also pose a real danger to the public on today's crowded city streets, where an ever-increasing number of cars, trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicycles share the road. Dragging a carriage filled with passengers along the side of the road with motor vehicles speeding past, horses can easily get frightened by the stimulation of these surroundings, and over the years have been involved in numerous traffic accidents, many of which resulted in horses dying. Horse-drawn carriages also impede the smooth flow of traffic, making it especially difficult for emergency vehicles to pass through quickly.
For all these reasons, Queens Council Member Tony Avella introduced a bill to the City Council that would finally ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City. "The romanticized idea of enjoying a carriage horse ride through the streets of Manhattan can no longer justify the risk of serious injury or death to these animals or to the public at large," said the Councilman. "It is time to put the horse driven carriage industry out to pasture."
Other major cities around the world -- including Paris, London, and Toronto -- banned horse-drawn carriages from their streets long ago. In fact, the last license issued for a horse-drawn carriage in London was over 60 years ago. It is time for New York City to join them by leaving this inhumane relic of a bygone age behind.
What You Can Do:
The carriage horse industry is mainly supported by tourists, so it is essential that New York City Council members know that there is widespread support throughout the country and the world for banning this cruel trade.
1) Write letters to the following New York City Council members (at 250 Broadway
New York, NY 10007) and ask them to co-sponsor and support Intro 658, the bill to ban the carriage horse trade in New York City, and to oppose Intros 652 and 653 (which are bills supported by the carriage horse industry):
- Dan Garodnick
- Rosie Mendez
- Gale Brewer
- Alan Gerson
- Inez Dickens
- Jessica Lappin
- Robert Jackson
- Miguel Martinez
2) Please also write to the contact following New York City Council members at the same address to thank them for supporting the bill to ban the carriage horse trade in Manhattan:
- Maria del Carmen Arroyo
- Melissa Mark Viverito
- Annabel Palma
3) New York City residents: Please be sure to contact your Council member about this bill.
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