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HORSE SENSE
Periodic updates about issues and actions concerning New York City's Carriage Horses +
Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages
www.banhdc.org
Horses Without Carriages International
www.horseswithoutcarriages.org
PLEASE FORWARD TO LISTS, FRIENDS & COLLEAGUES ** Year in Review ** Dec. 31st demo ** Urgent - Sign petition to City Council ** NYC snow ** Rome
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
We would like to wish everyone a happy and peaceful New Year for you, your families and all the animals. It is hard to believe that this campaign started in 2006 -- that in January it will be five years since Spotty, a five-year old carriage horse, died a horrible death on 50th St. and Ninth Avenue as he was on his way back to his stable. I always knew this would be a long haul so I am not at all disappointed that the industry has not been shut down yet because we have actually made a lot of progress. Besides, this is an institution to some non thinkers and a politically connected one at that. We are the only organization that has consistently kept the faith with this campaign. We understand well that it takes patience, will, perseverance and understanding. We could not do it alone and I want to thank every one who supported and worked with us this past year in our fight against this trade. You are all terrific.
Prior to 2006, it had been since 1994 that there was a campaign and at that time, it was about more regulations, not a ban. It ultimately was not successful. The one thing that long drawn out attempt taught me is that you do not negotiate with animal exploiters. It must be all or nothing. There is no such thing as "keeping the horses in the park, reducing the work days, adding a humidity index." As long as the industry is supported by and has connections into the administration, they do not have to negotiate. To do this would cut into their bottom line.
Looking back, these are some of the highlights of this campaign.
- 2006 - campaign begins
- Spring, 2007 - the NYC Comptroller's office issues the first ever audit report on the two agencies that oversee the carriage industry - the Department of Health and Department of Consumer Affairs. The results are both damaging to the agencies and the industry
- December, 2007 - Council Member Tony Avella introduces the first every bill to ban the horse-drawn carriage trade
- 2008 - The documentary, Blinders: the Truth Behind the Tradition is released
- Summer 2008 - We create Horses Without Carriages International - a global initiative to ban horse-drawn carriages
- January 2009 - the Council holds a hearing on Intro 658 - the ban bill and Intro 653 - the bill to give the drivers a raise
- March 2009 - we publicize an undercover investigation of West Side Livery by Animals' Angels.
- Spring 2010 -- Shamrock Stables, which had been subsidized by the city, is evicted from their $5,000 a month digs (market value $60,000.) The City does not find another place for them.
- February 2010 - Department of Health holds a hearing on new proposed regulations, which are eventually rescinded
- April 2010 - Mayor Bloomberg signs Intro 35A into law. It is a bogus bill and provides a rate increase for the drivers. The ASPCA is not present at the bill signing but many activists are. See this video.
- June 2010 - We coordinate a joint rescue of Bobby II Freedom from the slaughter auctions. A former carriage horse from West Side Livery, he is now at Equine Advocates sanctuary. This is proof that the industry sends some of their horses to the slaughter auctions.
- 2010 - There are at least three accidents that we learn about that are not reported by the main stream media. It is wondered how many more go unreported.
In this time, we have gotten press in virtually every newspaper and TV station in NYC. There have been numerous letters to the editor published and activists have created volumes of videos on Youtube. We have also run ads in a tourist magazine directed to people not taking carriage horses.
WHAT WILL 2011 BRING?
I cannot see into the future and I do not like to predict things. Last year at this time, a well known psychic predicted an end to the carriage trade. From her mouth to God's ears - but it did not happen. However, these are some things that we expect to happen this year along with some words of caution:
- Our campaign continues; we keep getting our newsletter out and educating people. We hope others will do the same with protests, advertising -- whatever it takes
- We will lobby for our new proposed bill to prevent horses from going to auction.
- Please know this unequivocally. The impediments in the way of progress are the ASPCA, Speaker Quinn and Mayor Bloomberg. Although the ASPCA professes to support a ban, they have done virtually nothing for the issue. They enable the industry. Please do not support them. There are other more needy organizations. Please see this video.
- Political - Be politically aware. 2013 is election year for the mayoralty. Christine Quinn will probably run and will be a disaster for the horses if this is so. Watch out for her alliance with the ASPCA.
PITY THE POOR HORSES
Where have they all gone?! - Sign petition at Change.org
Change.org - Save New York City's Carriage Horses From Slaughter - Stephanie Feldstein - 12/17/10 -- The holidays are New York City's carriage horse industry's most lucrative season. Personally, I don't see the charm in being pulled around a city park or through traffic by a sad, overworked horse. And nothing kills the romance quite like thinking about what happens to those horses when they can no longer work.
In the carriage horse industry, turnover is high - according to the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages, New York City's 200 or so carriage horses work for an average of four years, compared to police horses who are typically on the beat for about 14 years. So, where do all those horses go?
Well, that's the question. The existing laws surrounding the carriage horse industry (such as they are) don't do much to address what happens to the horses once they're pulled from the street. Some may end up retired, finally able to get away from city life, see a real pasture and breath without a tailpipe in their faces. But sale and transfer records are only required if the transaction happens within New York City ... and most don't. So, when horses like Bobby end up on the auction block in Pennsylvania, the city has their blinders on.
The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages, Equine Advocates and Friends of Animals were able to rescue Bobby before he could be sold to a kill buyer. But how many horses like Bobby have slipped through the cracks?
The ideal outcome for the horses would be to ban the carriage horse industry. Some advocates and council members have talked about replacing horse-drawn carriages with vintage replica electric cars. Keep the nostalgia, ditch the cruelty. It's a great idea, but as long as the carriage horse industry holds the reins in city politics, it's not going to happen.
Advocates haven't stopped fighting for a ban, but in the meantime, the least we can do is ensure that the horses' lives have a better outcome than ending up on the kill floor of a slaughterhouse. Some of the proposed bills have included language for the "humane disposition" of horses. But while the industry vehemently opposes the electric cars and other horse-friendly amendments, the animals are vulnerable to being sold for slaughter.
The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages is now asking the City Council to consider just that section on disposition, with an amendment to the code which would require horse owners to sell or donate their horses to private individuals who will keep them as companions or to an animal sanctuary. Carriage horse drivers and owners repeatedly insist that their horses are well cared for and loved. Here's their chance to prove it. Anyone who cares about an animal wouldn't be willing to put her through the torturous trip across the border to a brutal slaughterhouse. So, there's no excuse for opposing a bill that ensures these horses get a humane retirement.
City Council and New York City Carriage Horse Owners: This is your chance to show your compassionate side.
The reality of racehorses ending their careers at the slaughterhouse soured a lot of people to that cruel industry. It's time to bring this dark side of the carriage horse industry out of the shadows. Ask New York City Council to save carriage horses from slaughter.
PLEASE SIGN PETITION: Please click here to sign the petition and ask your friends to do the same. The horses have only you on whom to depend. We must be their voices.
SNOW, ICE AND THE CARRIAGE HORSES
The Big Snow of 2010 started yesterday morning. The carriage drivers were at the park trying to squeeze out that last piece of business. Notice the "one size fits all" plastic garbage bag used to protect the a.) horse? or b.) tack?
The law requires that the horses not be worked when it is 18 degrees or below. There is no consideration for wind chill. It also prohibits the horses from working in adverse weather conditions -- "Adverse weather conditions shall include but not be restricted to snow, ice, heavy rain or other slippery conditions."
The question remains whether the horses will be allowed to work today by the ASPCA. According to the NYC government web site:
A Blizzard Warning is in effect for New York City until Monday, December 27, at 6 PM. Stay off the roads. The City needs to clear the roads of snow and abandoned vehicles so public safety units can respond to emergencies.
CARRIAGE HORSE DEMO - NEW YEAR'S EVE DAY
Please come out for the horses
This will be the last demo for 2010. Please join the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages, Friends of Animals and Heart for Animals in a protest against the horse-drawn carriage trade.
- When: Friday, December 31st
- Time: 1PM to 3PM
- Where: North/west corner Fifth Avenue and Central Park South
We will supply posters and flyers but it is OK to bring your own posters. Dress warmly.
Finish the year by giving 2 hours to the horses. Be their voice.
ROME - HELL FOR CARRIAGE HORSES
see video
This is a video of the horse-drawn carriage trade in Rome, called Botticelle. They seem to be cut from the same cloth as their NYC brothers. Video on Youtube is called Ban Carriage Horses in Rome.
IF YOU SHOP ONLINE -- YOU CAN HELP THE HORSES
Through a free registration with iGive, when you buy merchandise on line, your purchase will help us. There are over 700 stores that include such popular ones as Amazon.com, Staples, Best Buy and Barnes & Nobles. Even Cafe Press is available if you purchase some of our merchandise. Click here to get started.
JOIN US ON FACE BOOK & SIGN ONLINE PETITION
See our Facebook page called No Walk in the Park. And while you are there, please join another anti carriage horse page by a colleague called 212HorsePower
"Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens can change the
world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever
has." Margaret Mead.
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Thank you for caring about the horses,
Elizabeth Forel - Coalition to Ban
Horse-Drawn Carriages - a standing committee
of The Coalition for New York City Animals,
Inc.
Please DONATE
to our campaign to ban
the inhumane and unsafe carriage horse industry.
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