Media Coverage
Animal rights protesters take whip to Central Park carraige rides
By Elizabeth Lazarowitz
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Friday, January 2nd 2009, 2:34 AM
Animal advocates gathered at Central Park Thursday to protest horse-drawn-carriage rides as the City Council gets ready to consider a ban on the tourist attraction.
"You can't have horse-drawn carriages in New York City without the public safety issues and the inherent animal cruelty issues," said Edita Birnkrant, a spokeswoman for Friends of Animals.
She said horses went to work in a snowstorm last month, and one slipped on an icy street.
About a dozen animal welfare advocates rallied in frigid weather, shouting, "Shame on you!" at a far-larger crowd of tourists lined up for rides.
The Council is set to debate a bill later this month that would shut down the industry.
Carriage operators said charges that the horses are maltreated are untrue.
"This horse is making a living for me and my family." said driver Enda Moran, 38. "Why would I abuse a horse that's doing that?"
Coalition To Ban
Horse-Drawn Carriages
A Committee of the Coalition For New York City Animals, Inc.
You may write us at:
The Coalition for
NYC Animals, Inc.
P.O. Box 20247
Park West Station
New York, NY 10025
Or send an e-mail to:
Coalition@banhdc.org