An opponent of horse-drawn carriages since 2007, when he introduced the historic bill to ban the trade, Senator Tony Avella recently introduced a similar bill in the NY State Senate. Along with horse advocates including Elizabeth Forel, Senator Avella hopes to stop the inhumane treatment of carriage horses.
According to horse advocates, carriage horses live in conditions that are neither healthy or humane.
Legally allowed to work up to nine hours a day, seven days a week, the horses return to their stables down traffic-clogged Ninth Avenue, mixing with vehicles going to the Lincoln Tunnel, as they breath in exhaust fumes. It has been referred to as a “nose-to-tailpipe” existence.
There are over 200 horses living in four multi-storied warehouse stables. Stalls are legally required to be a minimum of only 60 square feet – less than half of what experts recommend, which is 144 square feet for standardbreds and at least 196 square feet for the larger draft breeds. The stable for police horses on 12th avenue has 12’ x 12’ stalls and an indoor ring for exercise.
We have thousands upon thousands of signatures on petitions of people who want to see the industry shut down – from all 50 states and over 55 countries. Every time there is a poll - whether from EXTRA, Crain’s NY Business or WCBS TV, about 75% of respondents vote in favor of a ban. I would say that “popular” is not an accurate description.
Carriage horses are not things to be exploited for monetary gain. They have no voice and no choice. As long as the industry continues to be politically connected and the media supports a myth, the truth will not get out.
Elizabeth Forel has been an animal advocate for more than 25 years. She is president and co-founder of the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages, started in 2006, an all volunteer grass-roots group that focuses on New York City.