NYC carriage horses suffering in extreme heat, welfare group says, as bill to finally ban the city’s horse carriage industry is reintroduced
The bill’s reintroduction comes as the horses’ continue to endure grueling working conditions and sweltering weather in Central Park.
A stock photo of a carriage horse in NYC.
New York City’s carriage horses are suffering in sweltering heat, a welfare group says, as Central Park reaches temperatures of 90-degrees in recent weeks.
The controversial carriage horse industry in the city has long been condemned for its animal welfare standards, with critics calling out the grueling working conditions of the horses. There have also been several high-profile incidents over the years that have resulted in carriage horses being injured and even killed.
Now, NYCLASS, an animal welfare group that campaigns for a ban on the horse carriage industry, says that horse drivers were continuing to give rides during last week’s heat wave.
The city’s current legislation dictates that carriage horses must stop working and retire to their stables when the temperature reaches 90 degrees.
If temperatures reach this threshold, the Department of Health issues a heat suspension. Such a suspension was issued on the 26th June, but NYCLASS say that two carriage drivers subsequently violated the order and were seen continuing to ride.
Video evidence of the horses working despite the work suspension in place was sent to the Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare, reports the New York Post.
In another video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, the horses living conditions can be seen as the animals are filmed being taken back to their stable. The stable is a concrete tower block in Hell’s Kitchen described by the person filming as a “dilapidated building”. “They don’t have a patch of grass to ever be on”, the person adds.
In a statement, NYCLASS executive director Edita Birnkrant said the video evidence shows that “there are visibly lame and injured horses in agony, pulling carriages in that brutal heat”.
“This violates animal cruelty laws,” Birnkrant added, before calling on the city to take action. “This abuse is allowed to occur because the city is letting it happen.”
Acknowledging the complaints, a spokesman for the City’s Health Department said “we are aware that many people have concerns about the treatment of carriage horses in this week’s heat and are looking into these claims”.
Will Ryder’s Law finally ban carriage horses in NYC?
Last month Ryder’s Law, a bill that will phase out the horse carriage industry in NYC, was reintroduced on June 20 by Councilmember Robert Holden.
Collapsed Ryder in the viral footage. Credit: Voters For Animal Rights
The bill’s legislation has been revised to remove mention of a transition to animal-free, electric carriages as the horse carriage owners did not want to consider it as a solution. Instead, the updated plan will create a workforce program for drivers to find jobs in other industries. It will also ensure that horses retire safely, prohibiting them from being sent to slaughter or working as carriage horses elsewhere.
“The horse carriage industry is a barbaric industry that in the 21st century needs to go away,” Councilmember Holden said in a statement. “With Ryder’s Law, we will finally free the horses, dismantle this cruel industry, and support the drivers in finding new, sustainable employment.”
If passed, the bill would follow similar bans in other cities like Chicago, Salt Lake City, and Palm Beach.
Ryder’s Law was first introduced following an incident in 2022 which saw a carriage horse named Ryder collapsing on a sidewalk in New York. In passerby footage which went viral, the collapsed horse can be seen being whipped and hit by his owner. According to a subsequent veterinary examination, Ryder was malnourished, sick, and elderly, and he was euthanized a few months after the incident.
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We can help end the suffering of these horses. Sign our petition to urge New York City Council Members to do what is right by finally passing Ryder’s Law, giving these horses the lives they deserve. Add your name in support here.
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