During last week’s intense heat wave, Central Park carriage horse drivers allegedly continued to give rides despite a city-mandated work suspension, according to an animal rights group.
Allegations of Cruelty Amid Heat Wave
The group, NYCLASS, claims that these actions violated the city’s administrative code, which requires carriage horses to stop working and return to their stables when the temperature reaches 90 degrees.
On Wednesday, the New York City Department of Health issued a heat suspension at 11:08 a.m., yet at least two carriage drivers reportedly defied this order. NYCLASS, a non-profit organization advocating for the ban or restriction of carriage horses, provided video evidence to the Mayor’s Office of Animal Welfare. One video allegedly shows a white carriage picking up new passengers at 11:17 a.m., just minutes after the suspension was declared.
Evidence and Counterclaims
In another video posted on social media platform X, a horse described as “lame” is seen struggling in the intense heat while pulling a red carriage back to West Side Livery Stables in Hell’s Kitchen, approximately 90 minutes after the suspension order. “There are visibly lame and injured horses in agony, pulling carriages in that brutal heat,” stated Edita Birnkrant, executive director of NYCLASS. “This violates animal cruelty laws.”
Christina Hansen, a spokesperson for the carriage drivers, refuted these claims. She explained that the first driver did not pick up new passengers but instead, in a gesture of kindness, continued to transport the same passengers, who reboarded closer to their hotel due to one passenger’s difficulty walking. Hansen noted that drivers receive text alerts about heat suspensions and are allowed 30 minutes to complete ongoing rides. Additionally, they can “rest and water” the horses before returning them to the stables. The limp observed in the video, Hansen said, was due to a loose shoe, which was subsequently fixed.
Calls for Investigation
Birnkrant called on Alexandra Silver, a City Hall animal welfare liaison, to request an investigation by the NYPD’s Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad into the alleged heat violations. “This abuse is allowed to occur because the city is letting it happen,” Birnkrant asserted. The city acknowledged the complaints and stated that they are under review. “We are aware that many people have concerns about the treatment of carriage horses in this week’s heat and are looking into these claims,” said Health Department spokesman Patrick Gallahue.
Concerns Over Carriage Horse Welfare
The accusations against the carriage drivers have reignited the debate over the welfare of carriage horses in New York City, especially during extreme weather conditions. NYCLASS has long campaigned for stricter regulations or an outright ban on horse-drawn carriages, arguing that the animals are subjected to harsh and inhumane conditions.
Proponents of the carriage horse industry maintain that the animals are well cared for and that existing regulations are sufficient to ensure their well-being. They argue that the industry provides jobs and is a cherished tradition in the city.
The incident last week highlights the ongoing conflict between animal rights activists and the carriage horse industry. As the city investigates these recent allegations, the spotlight remains on the ethical treatment of working animals and the effectiveness of current regulations in protecting them.