N.Y.C. Horse-Drawn Carriage Crash Sparks Renewed Calls for Ban as 2 Operators Are Hospitalized
Though the horses weren't seriously hurt, advocacy groups like NYCLASS are citing the crash as proof that the practice is unsafe and outdated
The crash follows a 2022 incident where a horse named Ryder collapsed in the street and later died, prompting a celebrity-backed petition to end carriage ridesA horse-drawn carriage collision is resurrecting a call to ban the transportation in N.Y.C.
On Monday, May 26, two horse-drawn carriages rammed into each other in front of the 60th Street & East Drive marker in Central Park in New York City, hospitalizing the two carriage operators.
According to a statement obtained by PEOPLE from the New York Police Department, one of the horses was startled and ran westbound towards 5th Avenue. The second horse was also startled and ran towards the northbound end of 60th Street.
Both carriage operators "sustained minor injuries in an attempt to regain control of the horses," per the statement. "EMS transported both individuals to area hospitals."
There are no reports on whether there were passengers in the carriages at the time of the incident. According to ABC News, the horses did not suffer any severe injuries and were back to work on the south end of Central Park later that evening.
Though many city visitors enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides in N.Y.C., animal advocacy groups such as NYCLASS are citing this incident to support a citywide ban on horse-drawn carriage rides.
Animal Legal Defense Fund, an organization that aims to enforce stronger anti-cruelty laws and the humane treatment of animals, has also led calls to end the use of horses in tourism work.
In 2022, the organization petitioned to ban horse-drawn carriages in N.Y.C. after an elderly horse named Ryder collapsed in the street due to the overwhelming summer heat. An unnerving video of the incident quickly circulated, leading the Animal League Defense Fund to send a petition and letter to the New York City Council.
'Tragic outcomes for horses haunt New York City's history, as well as other cities across the country,' read the letter. 'Horses, carriage passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and others are put at risk by this cruel and reckless industry. We say: No more.'
Along with hundreds of others, the petition was also signed by notable names including Billie Eilish, her brother Finneas, Kaley Cuoco, Noah Cyrus, Joan Jett, Kesha, Joaquin Phoenix, Sarah Silverman, Christian Siriano, Hilary Swank, Justin Theroux, and Marisa Tomei.
Just two months after his collapse, Ryder died. He was roughly 30 years old.
"We are devastated to learn that Ryder has died. His horrific collapse, after years of abuse, inspired tens of thousands of people from across the globe to stand up to carriage horse industry cruelty," said Edita Birnkrant, executive director of New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets, at the time.
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"But make no mistake: this tragedy was not caused by an act of God — Ryder's death was the result of savage cruelty and greed. To make a profit, the horse carriage industry would have literally worked Ryder to death if it weren't for viral videos and the people who exposed their endless lies and cover-ups. Their mistreatment of Ryder is the reason he is dead two months later."
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