‘Sopranos’ Star Edie Falco Pushes City Council Speaker to Stop Blocking Horse-Drawn Carriage Ban
For Immediate Release:
September 2, 2025
Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382
After yet another horse collapsed and died on the street while being forced to haul a carriage in the blistering heat and just as another spooked horse took off in Central Park sending carriage passengers flying, native New Yorker and longtime PETA friend Edie Falco sent a letter to New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams calling on her to stop blocking a horse-drawn carriage ban from moving forward.
Ryder’s Law, named after a horse who collapsed on New York City streets and later died, would ban horse-drawn carriages in the city and replace them with eco-friendly electric vehicles. The proposal came after video footage of Ryder lying on Ninth Avenue went viral, and reports that his driver slapped him, whipped him, and screamed at him to get up sparked outrage. Ryder died just weeks later—and his driver faced no penalty. Adams has been blocking the bill for the past three years at the behest of the union that represents horse carriage owners.
“I have literally lost sleep over the plight of carriage horses in my beloved NYC,” writes Falco. “Please – before another horse like Lady or Ryder is worked to death… these spectacular animals splayed out dead in our New York City streets for all to witness – Please stop blocking Ryder’s Law from moving forward. Please be the one that finally puts this to rest. It’s time. It’s past time. We’re New York. We’re better than this.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment or abuse in any other way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
Falco’s letter to Adams follows.
Dear Council Speaker Adams,
Edie Falco here (aka Carmela Soprano and Nurse Jackie).
I’m writing regarding an issue that has had my heart and attention for so many years – and I’m hoping beyond hope that you can help me with it.
I’m a lifelong animal lover and advocate, a vegetarian for years (I think maybe you are too?). I have literally lost sleep over the plight of carriage horses in my beloved NYC. I’ve fought for them at fundraisers, I’ve done voiceovers, I’ve recorded PSAs, etc. all in the hopes of getting these poor animals off the streets. I’ve been told repeatedly by people ‘in the know’ that ‘it’s being dealt with’. For years. Thus far, nothing has changed.
I recently learned that Ryder’s Law, which would finally ban horse-drawn carriages, has languished for 3 YEARS waiting for a hearing and that, in fact, you have been blocking it. I was sure that couldn’t be true. So. I’m writing to beg you to advance this bill that 70% of New Yorkers desperately want passed. The Central Park Conservancy has joined the discussion as well, all of us wondering how on earth this is still being allowed to happen! This is New York, for God’s sake!!
I’m sure you know, a horse named Lady dropped dead in Hell’s Kitchen in August. The video was everywhere. It’s appalling. And frankly embarrassing. And once again, it’s put our archaic carriage horse industry in the international spotlight.
Please. Please – before another horse like Lady or Ryder is worked to death…these spectacular animals splayed out dead in our New York City streets for all to witness – Please stop blocking Ryder’s Law from moving forward.
Please be the one that finally puts this to rest.
It’s time. It’s past time. We’re New York. We’re better than this.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Edie
