Sprinklers are not a legal requirement for NYC horse stables although stables generally house very flammable material -- such as hay, wood stalls and carriages ...not to mention the lives of the many horses who are stuck on the upper floors and whose only means of egress is the ramp, which will act as a chimney if there is a fire. This has been an issue that has been suppressed by the City Council for years. More than five years ago there was actually a bill that called for sprinklers in horse stables that was killed. More recently a bill that called for sprinklers in establishments that house animals - such as pet stores - has been ignored.

To add insult to injury, in February, the Department of Health (DoH) proposed the following changes to Article 161 of the NYC Health Code. . The DoH rescinded the proposal when Intro 35-A was passed. Intro 35-A did not address these issues.

• (6) Fire hazards. Premises shall be kept free of fire hazards. Effective July 1, 2011, all buildings in which stables are located shall be equipped with an operational sprinkler system installed in accordance with �BC903.3.1.1 of the New York City Building Code, or successor provision. (8) Electrical wiring. (A) All electrical appliances shall be plugged directly into properly grounded electrical outlets. (B) Electrical wiring shall be installed and maintained in metal electrical conduits. (C) Extension cords may be used for brief periods of time, not to exceed three (3) hours, and 25 such cords shall be disconnected and removed when the appliances or tools to which they are connected are not being used.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER: Tell them that sprinklers must be required in horse stables, which are highly flammable by nature. Tell them about the fire at Chateau Stables, which could have been much worse. Ask them to support a bill to require sprinklers in all stables. Click Here for the council web site. It is preferred to send a snail mail letter or fax. E-mail is not guaranteed to get through. Also contact MAYOR BLOOMBERG - on line -- or by snail mail at Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Hall, New York, NY 10007

Nevertheless, she needs to know that there are people out there who want to see this industry end. It is inhumane for the horses, but also a safety issue for people. In addition, if the classic cars became a reality, the drivers would have better paying and more secure jobs. How can she be opposed to that?

Quinn is not animal friendly and is a big friend to the industry. But she needs to hear from the opposition. She can be contacted through her web site. Please be polite. Click here to contact her. You may also contact your Council Members by clicking here.

You can address such issues as the industry being a blot on NYC's image; how Central Park South smells very badly; how it is inherently inhumane; how it is dangerous and an accident waiting to happen. Because of their size and physiology, horses are unwitting weapons. They can spook easily and cause a lot of damage. Recently, an accident in Iowa involving carriage horses resulted in the death of one woman and injuries to 25 others. If you do not live in NYC, say that you will not visit the city - or how you have avoided the area if you have visited. Also say that the new legislation did not do anything to help the horses - that it was mainly about giving the drivers a raise. Horses are still deprived of water in Central Park in the winter months and their stalls are less than half of what experts suggest.

The law referenced is � 17-334.1 from the NYC Administrative Code, which says that it is unlawful to permit a horse carriage to be operated by a person who does not possess a current valid driver's license. We have registered complaints with the authorities (not ASPCA). Who wants to bet me a Starbucks' tall soy latte that they will do nothing?

This does not mean, however, that we will not pressure the City Council to show some integrity, compassion and responsibility and pass a bill to require sprinklers in stables ... or to point out that Intro 35 A requires a minimum size of 60 sq. ft. for stalls when experts recommend 144 sq. ft. for standard bred horses. But this is not the core of our campaign, which is the end to this inherently inhumane trade.

Just a little slice of light is by Barbara Sitomer, a vegan baker who owns GonePie. Sitomer talks about abolitionist and single issue campaigns. Another interesting blog comes out of Canada by Vegan Activist: Quebec: End your use of horses in city streets.

See this shocking video.

Her irresponsible driver left her to get a slice of pizza. We see this all the time in NYC. In 2007, Smoothie, a young mare, was tied up on Central Park South and was spooked by a loud noise. Her driver was not near her - he was most likely off talking with his friends. Smoothie panicked and pulled away from her post only to crash into a tree and she dropped dead on the spot. If her driver had been paying attention, it is possible he could have immediately calmed her when he saw her going into a spook.

If you would like to be part of our Action Alert e-mail list, please send an e-mail to coalition@banhdc.org. E-mails will be sent out when action is needed such as writing letters to the editor of a publication or a legislator.