NYC Horse Carriage Collision Renews Calls for Rides to End
SOURCE: VOTERS FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS, RAULVILLASBOA_/INSTAGRAM
A gory collision between a carriage horse and a vehicle in New York City (NYC) has led to renewed calls from animal rights activists to end the use of horse-drawn carriages on city streets.
On 23 September 2021, a carriage horse named Chief collided with a BMW near the south of Central Park. It was reported that witnesses at the scene saw Chief collapsing to the ground and losing consciousness for several minutes. Video footage of the accident, which has been widely circulated on social media, showed him kicking and struggling to get off the pavement upon regaining consciousness, which only exacerbated his injuries. Photos of the aftermath also show large amounts of blood in the surrounding area, further confirming the violence of the crash.
According to the police, it was Chief’s first day pulling a carriage in the city. Chief was reported to have suffered deep lacerations to its midsection, head and front right leg. He has since been treated by a veterinarian.
Chief is not the only horse to undergo such unnecessary suffering. Animal rights group New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets (NYCLASS) reported more than 30 known carriage horse accidents within just a few years’ time, which does not even include the accidents that go unreported by the media. They also claim that at least 7 carriage horses have died in NYC according to Department of Health records.
The danger of horse-drawn carriages is not confined to public safety issues. According to Voters For Animal Rights, a NYC-based animal advocacy group, when carriage horses suffer an injury and are no longer able to work, they are typically euthanised or sold for slaughter at auction.
Chief was reportedly doing well and resting in his stall, via Christina Hansen on Twitter.
NYCLASS is one of the many animal rights groups which have long protested against the NYC horse carriage industry. After the accident, the activists protested outside stables at 618 West 52nd St, once again repeating their request to end the cruel and archaic practice and urging the NYC Council to fast-track legislation in this regard. As an alternative, the Committee for Compassionate and Responsible Tourism has suggested the transition to electric carriages, which not only improves public safety but also allows for greater efficiency and lower expenses. However, as the city regulates all aspects of the horse-carriage business, the addition of electric vehicles to the tourism industry will require the enactment of new legislation.
According to NYCLASS, New York City is one of the last large cities in the U.S. that still allows horse-drawn carriages. The NYC Council has previously enacted additional regulations for horse-drawn carriages, such as providing more breaks and reducing working hours for the horses. However, the continued occurrence of these kinds of incidents clearly suggests that these regulations do not provide adequate protection – the use of horse-drawn carriages remains a dangerous business. Horses, like all animals, should be treated with respect and not as mere tourist attractions.
Courtesy of Ruby Tam
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