AN OPEN LETTER TO NYC MAYOR DEBLASIO
WHEN MR. MAYOR. WHEN!!??
WHEN WILL THE HORSE-CARRIAGE TRADE BE SHUT DOWN?
WHEN WILL THE HORSE-CARRIAGE TRADE BE SHUT DOWN?
Carriage horses suffer in heat; driver exploits system and ignores the law; high turnover - where do all the horses go?
Dear Mayor deBlasio:
When you were campaigning to be elected mayor, you made
a promise to ban horse-drawn carriages. You even said you would do it on
your first day in office, which we knew was not practical. So we
waited. We were very happy yesterday to hear that you once again
confirmed your commitment to ban the horse-drawn carriage trade.
But the
question remains as to when that will happen.
This is not just a cruelty
issue. It is also a public safety issue. Horses weighing 2,000
pounds, who are nervous and spook easily, should not be on congested
streets. When a horse spooks and bolts, the end result may well be
serious injury and death to both the horse and bystanders. People have
died in horse-carriage accidents around the world, and it is only a matter of
time before it happens here.
This has gone on too
long. The horses are suffering in the heat and humidity and the
public has not seen any sign of movement toward a ban. You were the first
mayoral candidate ever to take animal cruelty seriously, or so it seemed--and
many of us volunteered in your campaign office, showing up at every debate to
cheer you on and proclaim our support for a humane mayor.
So what happened? Why
has this been put on the back burner? Bills, public hearings and more
debates will take this into next year at least. This is not what any of
us expected or supported.
PLEASE PUT THE HORSES IN THE SHADE! AT LEAST!
Last week I wrote twice to your
office asking if you would AT LEAST move the carriage horses to the
shady side of the street at the hack line, while we wait for the ban to
happen. As Mayor, you have the power to make this small but important change; we do not. It would mean a great deal to the horses.
happen. As Mayor, you have the power to make this small but important change; we do not. It would mean a great deal to the horses.
Once more, your staff was silent and
I got no response at all, not even an acknowledgement. This is
nothing new but it is always disappointing. Please remember that we
were your "boots on the ground." We showed up at every
mayoral debate and forum and worked the streets. And this was
because you said you would ban the carriage horse trade and do something about
the animal control agency, which continues to kill healthy cats and dogs in big
numbers.
But the important thing here is that
the horses continue to stand in the hot sun without a respite. And horse
accidents and institutional cruelty continue, and the cats and dogs keep dying.
As the letter explained, the
tree-shaded area closest to the park on East Drive and Central Park South is
already congested with vendors selling food and crafts. All of these
vendors are under sun umbrellas. The carriage horses have no sun
protection while most of the drivers wear hats. It is not fair to the horses.
They suffer greatly from the heat, and switching places with the vendors would
be a positive gesture while we wait for the ban to take place. It is not a perfect solution, but it will help somewhat. As with
humans, horses are at risk from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Horse
experts are unequivocal in advocating for the prevention of heat-related
illnesses in horses. Here is one veterinarian's advice
for doing so.
In 2007, the Comptroller’s office released an
audit of two of the agencies that oversee the carriage-horse
trade--the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Department of Consumer
Affairs.
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| horses at hack line - no shade |
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| no shade on the hack line |
Page 14 of the audit made this point:
During the summer months, the asphalt where the horses line up becomes very hot. Other materials, such as concrete, would be easier on the horses’ hooves. In addition, on hot days, there is little shade for the horses, which could cause them to overheat.
But nothing was ever done.
DRIVER VIOLATES THE LAW
Several days this past week--and
this week, the temperature went above 90 degrees, and the NYPD did send
the drivers back to the stables. However, all other humane issues are ignored.
It would appear that the NYPD's taking over of humane law enforcement is
not working.
The police do not like anyone
telling them what to do and they work in a vacuum. Every officer I have
spoken with was not familiar with the humane regulations that govern the
carriage horse industry and most did not care. Something needs to
be done about this. We need law enforcement and we need transparency.
On Thursday, July 3, 2014, a
carriage driver and spokesperson for the carriage industry worked her horse
after the heat suspension took place. Regardless of whether this driver knew or did not know that
there was a suspension, she agreed to take a one-hour drive with customers,
knowing that it was very hot and humid and her horse should not be
working. She could have refused the ride or offered her passengers the 20
minute loop around the park. She did not.
On the evening of July 3rd, there
was a torrential downpour, which included lightning and thunder. There
were flash flood warnings all day that come through cell phones.
Yet, the drivers were out working even though it is against the law to
work horses in adverse weather conditions, which include heavy rain. The
NYPD ignores this regulation, which is part of the City Charter, and
Administrative Code.
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| horse in torrential downpour, bogged down by heavy equipment |
These are the kinds of situations
that we see repeated over and over in this business by unscrupulous carriage
drivers who put profit ahead of horse well-being.
Any time an animal is worked
for money, the animal loses. It is a conflict of interest: Money
and greed vs. consideration for the animal’s well-being.
By stalling and not owning
this issue you have allowed the Daily News to control the dialogue and
negatively influence public opinion, which resulted in unfavorable
polling--literally turning the percentages around against us. Before the Daily News began this onslaught, every poll taken consistently showed 75 to 80% of respondents in favor of a ban. This
is a consequence of a deliberate campaign of misinformation, all driven by an
editorial board that is feeling the sting of political defeat. This
newspaper is not your friend and is not the horses' friend. It is using
this issue as a metaphor for your progressive agenda. Please understand
this. If the Daily News wins on this issue, they will look for
others on which to defeat you.
Please ban this inhumane and unsafe
business now.
Sincerely
