11 February 2007 - Vol. # 15
Lobbying ***
What you can do ***
Letters ***
YouTube slide
show***AETA
LOBBING THE NYC COUNCIL -
UPDATE
on a bill to ban horse-drawn carriages
The
Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages has begun to lobby City
Council Members to ask for their support on a bill to ban
horse-drawn carriages in NYC. We are looking for people to join us
in meeting with the following Council Members who are part of the
Transportation Committee: Joseph Addabbo, Howard Beach Queens
- zip-11414; Andrew Lanza, Staten Island - zip-10312;
Michael McMahon - Staten Island - zip-10301; Darlene Mealy -
Brooklyn, zip-11213; Larry Seabrook - Bronx - zip 10467.
If you live in one of these zip codes, then one of these council
members is probably your representative. Please consider joining us
at a meeting with them. These meetings are CRUCIAL in getting
support for our bill since it will probably be heard in the
Transportation Committee. If you have time for nothing else - Please
join us in these meetings. Contact Elizabeth at coalitionbanhdc@gmail.com.
Since most of us work at other jobs, meetings are generally held at
250 Broadway, across from City Hall at 4-5:00 PM. It is close to
many subway lines.
TAKE ACTION FOR CARRIAGE HORSES
contact your Council Member & the ASPCA
Please
contact your
NYC
Council member to ask that they support legislation that will
put an end to the horse- drawn carriage trade in NYC. Visit the
council web site and let your views be known. Even if you previously
contacted them months ago, it is important to let them know the
issue is still alive. If you have not already done so - please
sign our petition
to ban the horse carriage trade in NYC - and please forward it to
everyone you know.
The ASPCA was founded by Henry Bergh in 1866. A prominent New
Yorker, Bergh cared about the grave injustices to animals and did
something about it. In explaining his philosophy of animal
protection, Bergh said "This is a matter purely of conscience; it
has no perplexing side issues. It is a moral question in all its
aspects." Dubbed "The Great Meddler" by the media, it was not
unusual to see Mr. Bergh on the street scolding someone about
beating his horse, or intervening on behalf of animals in other
ways. He would patrol the streets often going on raids. He
personally arrested violators of NYS cruelty laws, which he had been
instrumental in getting passed. He had power and prominence, and
frequently had entanglements with commercial interests in defending
animals. Today, we would have said he had chutzpah or moxie, was
fearless and got things done. He was a true defender of animals -
particularly horses - and I do not doubt he would have joined
our cause and taken a lead role if he were still alive.
But today's ASPCA presents a different picture. We are very
disappointed with their continued and unexplained resistance to
supporting a ban against the horse-drawn carriage industry. We can
go it alone in our campaign - but it would speed things up if the
ASPCA would step up to the plate and take an active role in bringing
this industry to a halt. It is clearly the most humane and sensible
thing to do. There is absolutely no justification for supporting the
status quo or more regulations. More laws on the books just means
more to regulate and it is virtually impossible to regulate the
myriad of regulations on the books now. Besides - whether it is
lobbying for more regulations or a ban - both will be difficult and
take time. I, for one, prefer to put my time into what is right
rather than trying for a weak compromise where no one --
especially the horses -- wins.
From the ASPCA web site: ?The ASPCA is not opposed to the
use of horses and other equines in pulling carts and carriages for
hire, provided that all of the animals? physiological and behavioral
needs are fully met, housing and stable conditions are humane and
their working hours and conditions are carefully regulated as to
temperature, humidity, proximity to traffic, rest periods, etc.
Working equines should receive regular veterinary and farrier care
and be provided a humane retirement when no longer able to work.?
.........THESE PROVISOS ARE CLEARLY QUESTIONABLE AND THE ASPCA MUST
REALIZE THAT - BRINGING THE ENTIRE STATEMENT INTO QUESTION AS BEING
DISINGENUOUS. (For example, horses are herd animals. They need to
socialize with other horses and to have access to turnout - neither
behavioral need is being met. In addition, multi-story stables,
which are accessed by ramps, are not considered humane. Also -
humidity is not a factor in the present law; and it is near
impossible to monitor whether horses are getting the required 15
minute break every two hours) .........AND .......
"In 1999, when we proposed comprehensive new legislation to
improve the lives of New York?s carriage horses, no one on the city
council would introduce it." While the ASPCA did make a
comprehensive proposal to the City Council when Peter Vallone was
Speaker, it was eight years ago. And it was for more regulations
(difficult to enforce) - not a ban. We now have new Council Members
and our Coalition has found a positive response to our
proposed
legislation. There have also been many more
accidents
and more reason for the ASPCA to join with us in asking for a ban of
the industry. Our Coalition has PROOF in the form of tourist's and
New Yorker's signatures (over 8,500) that people no longer want this
industry in NYC.
Our grass roots, under-funded all volunteer campaign has made
remarkable progress in one year - but in order to move forward
more quickly, we know that this is an issue in search of a another
Mr. Bergh - a leader with chutzpah, resources and influence -- and
the will to get things done.
Please contact Ed Sayres, president of the ASPCA, and ask him to
take an active stand in supporting a ban of this industry. His
e-mail address is: esayres@aspca.org. I know that many of you are
very angry about this issue -- but please be polite - rudeness will
hurt our cause.
LETTER IN AM NEW YORK
"Cold Brutal to Horses" - 2/8/07
"The brutally cold arctic wave that has hit the area has also
affected New York City's carriage horses. The present law allows
them to work when it is 18 degrees or above -- but there is no
consideration for wind chill, which makes the temperature feel like
single digits. Yesterday at noon, it was 19 degrees, with a wind
chill of 5. Who is monitoring whether the horses are out when it is
colder than 18 degrees?"
"The other day the ASPCA had only four agents in the city
attending to other animal emergencies. The first line of defense
against cold weather is a horse's thick winter coat. But because of
an unseasonably warm December and January, many horses were not able
to grow this natural coat. Snow and sleet causes their coats to get
wet and compromises their ability to keep warm. How many horses on
the street wear protective blankets? This Charles Dickens industry
has no place in modern-day New York City."--Elizabeth Forel,
Manhattan
YOUTUBE SLIDE SHOW
on carriage horses
This
effective slide show - "Carriage Horses: Driving into Nightmares"
was produced by a young woman who lives in Chicago, which also has a
horse-drawn carriage trade. Please take a moment to
view it - it is powerful. Many
of the images are off our other web site
Coalition
for New York City Animals and are of NYC carriage horses.
The image above is of Spotty, the NYC carriage horse who died after
being involved in a horrendous crash on January 2, 2006. He is being
dragged off to be euthanized.
ANIMAL ENTERPRISE
TERRORISM ACT (AETA)
presentation in NYC - Save the Date
Odette
Wilkens, the executive Director of the
Equal Justice Alliance, will be
speaking about the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act on Saturday March
10, 2007 at 3:00 PM at 242 E. 53rd St. in Manhattan - sponsored by
the NY Companion Bird Club. Due to limited seating, please RSVP if
you are planning to attend. nycompanionbirdclub@yahoo.com
More to come on this event............. For now, just save the date.
It is sure to be an interesting afternoon.
| Thank you for caring about the horses, Elizabeth
Forel - Coalition for NYC Animals, Inc. for the
Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages |
