Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages

Stephanie - January 30, 2009      

Good afternoon.  My name is Stephanie  and I am here to testify in support of Council Member Avella's bill – Intro 658 to ban the carriage trade.   

The HUMANE issues with putting horses into New York City traffic are patently clear to a number of leading animals protection organizations. These include the ASPCA, Friends of Animals, and the Humane Society.    

These issues also are clear to tens of thousands of individuals who support a ban.    

It is troublesome that that city lawmakers turn a blind eye to the plight of the horses, who labor under conditions that put them at risk and compromise their health.    

The ASPCA has concluded in 2007—and said last month—that the status quo is no longer acceptable.    

Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, has said that trying to eliminate noises that may spook New York City carriage horses would be as impossible as trying to stop birds from singing.    

So, having horses work in heavy traffic translates to an accident waiting to happen.   

Surely lawmakers can realize also this is an unmet PUBLIC SAFETY issue.

Since 2006 alone, at least SIX people have been hospitalized—and THREE horses have DIED from horse-drawn carriage accidents in New York City.

In one of the worst accidents, the 2006 spooking accident that killed Spotty, the carriage driver was critically injured.

This is consistent with national studies that have examined spooking accidents, and found them to be associated with a high percentage of human injuries.

The dangers are ever-present. Not only to the horses—but to pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

I support a FULL BAN on horse-drawn carriages.

To honor
Bobby II Freedom
previously known as Billy
ID# 2873 rescued by the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages and Equine Advocates on June 25, 2010 from the New Holland auctions.

In memory of
Lilly Rose O'Reilly
previously known
as Dada ID# 2711
R.I.P.August, 2007