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
ok. i understand you all think this is animal cruelty, but its not... unless the horses are lame or not properly shod there is no reason they cannot walk on pavement. i have horses, trust me, i know. the horse pictured looks in good health to me, he doesnt look unhappy or abused. trust me, im all for humane treatment of animals, but this is not animal cruelty.
That American flag could be being used as an unjust racial-icon; it's very tongue-in-cheek... the abuser there could easily cry foul, "what, US flags are bad?" like a fool.
Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) agents of the ASPCA suspended New York City carriage horses on January 23, 24 and 26, as well as Thursday morning, January 27, after snow had accumulated. Approximately 10 carriages traveled to the park Thursday morning, either ignoring or defying the morning suspension and notification by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), which also has authority to enforce laws.
The other 50-plus carriage owners kept their horses and carriages inside the stables for their safety. Just 10 carriages ignored the mayor's announcement of a city weather emergency. At 12:30 pm, these carriages were suspended by ASPCA agents, who have said authority when conditions are dangerous to the horses and/or the public. Later that afternoon a complainant called the ASPCA’s HLE hotline to report a horse seen in the park, and ASPCA agents located the horse and suspended this individual carriage.
The law states that horse owners shall not allow the horses to be working during adverse weather or other dangerous conditions which are a threat to the health or safety of the horse. The law also states that if a horse is being worked when such conditions develop they must immediately be returned to the stable by the most direct route.
A team of equine experts within the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Department monitor the care and working conditions of New York City's carriage and riding horses. ASPCA agents appreciate concerned citizens' reports, as the carriage horse industry does not police itself.
The following tips will help in reporting suspected carriage horse problems:
- The two most important pieces of information to provide are the time of the incident and the carriage license plate, a 4-digit number located on the back of the carriage. With the time and number, ASPCA can track down the horse and driver involved.
- Other helpful information can include: color of horse, color of carriage, location of incident and hoof brand number of horse.
- To report carriage horse cruelty or neglect, contact us at enforcement@aspca.org or (212) 876-7700, ext. 4450. After business hours, you will be transferred to a voice messaging system and your call will be returned by an on-duty agent.
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If you have a general question for PETA and would like a response, please e-mail Info@peta.org. If you need to report cruelty to an animal, please click here. If you are reporting an animal in imminent danger and know where to find the animal and if the abuse is taking place right now, please call your local police department. If the police are unresponsive, please call PETA immediately at 757-622-7382 and press 2.
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