Written by PETA
Why were horses still pulling carriages through dangerously icy and snowy New York City streets after Mayor Michael Bloomberg declared a weather emergency? The city was buried in more than a foot and a half of snow, prompting the mayor to plead with motorists to stay off the streets so that plows could get through, yet carriage operators were out soliciting customers. Even without the severe conditions, New York's streets are dangerous for horses: NYC has the highest carriage accident rate in the country.
Donny Moss, who documented the cruel conditions that horses endure in NYC's carriage industry in Blinders: The Truth Behind the Tradition, took these photos of horses who were on the streets during the emergency. Even the horses' water trough was buried under snow.
The ASPCA—the agency that monitors the carriages and enforces anti-cruelty laws—told callers that the rides were suspended, yet horses were still working the streets. Please ask the ASPCA under what conditions the horses are protected.
Please, never, ever take a carriage ride in New York City or anywhere else that these cruel operations still exist.
Written by Jennifer O'Connor
An argument that "horses have lived in these conditions for thousands of years" - you couldn't be more wrong. Horses did not exert themselves in extreme climates. Nor did they stand around breathing in pollution from the tailpipes of modern vehicles. Any argument that horses have evolved to "adapt" to this... is wrong because our technologies have progressed far faster than evolution has, and NO human, or beast, should be subjected to awful pollution of city traffic, being hit by cars, scared from car horns... it is disgusting. Do not use the "history of the horse" to validate the metropolis carriage industry.
Sorry folk, PLEASE read about what the Bureau of Land Management is doing to the wild horses of the west before you mention moving domesticated horses out there. That is an ignorant belief that there are miles of free roaming land for ANY horse.
These are domesticated working horses who work for a living like you. And they have more regulations then most day-cares. Please research the facts.
Hey Amber- who will pay for these horses expensive medical care and retirement? The riders? the taxpayers? no one. that's who.
EXACTLY! When the horses don't have a job no one will be paying for them. Take the job away from the horse & no one will be able to afford them. PETA and the ASPCA will be nowhere to help them after the ban. And then horse racing will be banned, after that it will be cutting horses, then barrel racers. Bye horses! You don't fit into our modern society. THAT is what you people are cheering for.
The only real issue here is that some carriage owners didn't obbey the law...on the subject of the horses, i don't think they are being treated with cruelty...we've been using them as transportation for thousands of years...as long as they have food and are treted for deseases and injuries, there shouldn't be a problem...slavery and using horses as a mean of transport are not the same thing
If the ASPCA supports a ban on NYC's horse-drawn carriage industry due to animal cruelty, then why did they allow NYC Mayor Bloomberg to say, "The ASPCA has convinced me that these horses are treated humanely" when he signed their rate hike bill into law last year? www.youtube.com/watch
Horses standing on pavement or worked on pavement is cruel and damages their legs. I find this to be the greatest barbarism. The breeds used for these carriages are the most docile, loving horses that are the epitome of willing servents. The workers can find some other form of cruelty. Maybe feeding off peoples misery will be their next gig.
These animals should not have to endure the exploytation of man by being forced to entertain people in such a manner.
@Andrew: No, horses did NOT live in similar conditions. they made sure that they were comfterable for theirselves and for their families.
Oh my goodness! How can you force those poor horses to work for us under such harsh weather?! This is absolute animal cruelty! Please pledge to NEVER ride on a horse carriage!
Alice, that depends on your personal definition of cruelty. In my opinion it is cruel because these poor animals should not have to be forced to pull carriages their entire lives, especially if they are ploughing through harsh conditions like these and probably not receiving adequate care. It is not unlike slavery, slave labour to which only the human prospers and all he/she has to do is sit comfortable on the 'driving seat' and whip the horse.
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