Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages

PRESS RELEASE FROM COUNCIL MEMBER TONY AVELLA   
September 5, 2008  

 Today, Council Member Tony Avella highlighted once again the need for a ban on the operation of horse-drawn carriages in New York City (Intro. #658) in light of yet another horse-drawn carriage accident.  The latest mishap occurred in Brooklyn this past weekend when two horses pulling a wedding buggy became startled and proceeded to run wildly through the street, propelling the driver onto the windshield of a parked vehicle, stopping only after hitting a traffic pole.    

“This latest accident serves as a prime example that horses are easily excited by everyday occurrences in city life.  It is absolutely clear that the time has come to ban horse-drawn cabs in the city of New York.  We can no longer justify the risk of serious injury or death to these animals or to the public at large,” stated Avella.

 Edita Birnkrant, NYC Campaign Coordinator for Friends of Animals said, “This latest accident in Brooklyn stresses the fact that Tony Avella’s pending bill to ban the horse-drawn carriage industry in New York City should be enacted immediately. We need not wait for another avoidable tragedy to realize that horses should no longer be pulling carriages as a form of entertainment. New Yorkers of all kinds, tourists from around the world, and the animal advocacy community all recognize this as a common sense and humane solution.  Now it’s time for the City Council to do what’s long overdue: retire this industry, once and for all.”

 Elizabeth Forel, from the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages, stated, “Horses do not belong on the streets of New York City.  Because they scare easily, at 2,000 pounds, they are unwitting but terrifying weapons as they run amok after being spooked.  It is only a matter of time before someone is killed as has happened in other cities.”

 “Allowing this industry to continue will only result in more accidents, more horses being killed or injured, and the public will continue to be put at risk,” concluded Avella.

 In the past two years there have been approximately 8 accidents involving horse driven carriages.  As a result, 3 horses have died and 6 people have been injured

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