4 December 2006 - Vol. # 11
What's in this issue
horse slaughter bill **
no holiday for horses **
holiday
cards **
volunteer
URGENT - TAKE ACTION ON HORSE SLAUGHTER
BILL
only days left for Senate bill to be passed
The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act - S.1915 must
pass before Congress adjourns for the year. If it does not, we will
have to start all over again. The majority vote for the bill in the
House of Representatives will not carry over into the new session.
Tuesday, December 5th is another National Call-In day to the
Senate. If you can make only one call this week - please make it
to Senator Bill Frist, the Majority Leader. His office number is
(202) 224- 3344. Ask him to use his influence to get this bill - S.
1915 out of committee and onto the floor for a vote. The image above
is of horses corralled waiting for slaughter.
In addition, please call your own Senators. The Congressional
switchboard is (202) 224-3121. All you need to say is: "I am a
constituent and I am calling to ask that my Senator protect our
horses from slaughter and urge Senator Frist to put S. 1915 on the
Calendar for a Senate vote. I am very concerned about American
horses and I don't want them slaughtered." If you get this
e-mail late or cannot call on Tuesday - please call as soon as
possible.
HARDLY A HOLIDAY FOR THE HORSES
how many rides in 9 hours?
In an attempt to create an "old fashioned Christmas" -
villages, towns and shopping centers all across the United States
have holiday events that include Christmas parades, tree lighting,
hot cider, ice sculptures, strolling carolers -- and carriage horse
rides - often free. This need to hold on to the past is all the more
interesting as the stores push the latest in technological devices.
New York City is no different. At this time of year crowds literally
line up to get the opportunity to pay $34 for a 20 minute ride in
Central Park. This is a cash only business and the drivers take full
advantage.
A visit to Central Park South on Sunday showed crowds lined up in
the chilly weather. While the law allows for two adults and four
kids under 12 - it does not provide for a heavy baby carriage
crammed into the seat next to the driver (surely it weighs as much
as a small child); nor does it provide for two people sitting in the
driver's seat. There was no one visible from the ASPCA to monitor
these types of infractions or to see that the horses get a regulated
break - 15 minutes every two hours. No, these drivers were working
the horses into the ground and many looked exhausted. Money is the
name of the game. Some of the drivers stand up and even turn around
with their back facing the horses as they take pictures or talk to
the passengers. This is not illegal but is an accident waiting to
happen - especially when there are so many carriages vying for the
narrow path into the park. Please help these horses by telling
everyone you know not to take a carriage ride -- especially people
visiting NYC.
HOLIDAY CARDS AVAILABLE FOR SALE
Proceeds to benefit our Coalition and CNEER
Holiday
Cards, featuring Monty, the former carriage horse who was rescued
from slaughter and is now living the good life in Massachusetts, are
now available for purchase. The cards are a heavy quality paper with
blue and white snow flakes on the front and back and feature a
series of five images of Monty frolicking in the snow and having the
time of his life. The inside of the card, which is white, reads
"May you enjoy the simple pleasures of this Holiday Season."
The back of the card has a short story of Monty and the plight of
carriage horses. Proceeds from the sale of these cards will go to
the Coalition to Ban
Horse-Drawn Carriages and
Central New England Equine Rescue (CNEER) - home of Monty. There
will be a limited quantity available so please send us your order as
soon as possible. These are wonderful cards to send out or keep - no
matter what holiday (or not) you observe.
To see more information about these beautiful cards, visit our
web site. To read more about Monty, visit
Happy Endings on the web site of the
Coalition for NYC
Animals, Inc.
PRICING: (5) cards - including postage and handling -
$17.35; (10) cards - including postage and handling - $33.31; (20)
cards - including postage and handling - $65.20; Checks or Cash only
accepted. Checks must be made out to Coalition for NYC Animals,
Inc.; P.O. Box 20247, Park West Station, New York, NY 10025. If
you would like to pick up the cards in Manhattan at certain
locations, let us know at the e-mail below and we will see if it can
be accommodated.
VOLUNTEER WITH US!
this Sunday, December 10th
The Coalition to Ban Horse- Drawn Carriages will be tabling
this Sunday, December 10th. If you can volunteer some time to help
get signatures on petitions to the Mayor and City Council to ban the
horse-drawn carriage industry, please contact Teresa at
