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 FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES ** Demo on 10/19 ** ASPCA turns its back on Chris ** irresponsible journalism ** deBlasio & Lhota favor ban on horse-drawn carriages
THE ASPCA TURNS ITS BACK ON CHRIS THE CARRIAGE HORSE
Irresponsibility reigns in NYC
Chris, the carriage horse who was involved in an accident on September 26th, has not been seen working since that date. We have heard some reports that he was "sold" and the ASPCA reported that he was "relocated" to Pennsylvania. This is an excerpt below of a statement they issued more than one week ago. They were subsequently asked by many to further investigate what happened to Chris. They ignored those pleas. While they may not have jurisdiction over the horses outside NYS, they have a bully pulpit, which they choose not to use. The next time you see their maudlin commercials begging you for money - turn off the TV. But get out your check book and instead give to a local rescue group - they will use it to the best of their ability. Most - like us - are volunteer and do not take salaries.
The ASPCA is giving up humane law enforcement as of December 31, 2013 -- it has been said that the NYPD will take over. Good luck to us. What this means to the animals of NYC is anyone's guess. The A has fewer than 20 officers and were often criticized for doing a less than adequate job. They would always respond by saying that they were just "volunteer." While this may be true, it is also true that the 2007 NYC Comptroller's audit report of the agencies that oversee the carriage trade recommended that they contract with the City of NY. Of course, if they had a contract, they would be responsible. They apparently did not want this.
But to leave this city high and dry in the hands of the NYPD is not right and a slap in the face to all the animals of NYC - cats, dogs, horses and everything else. Further, it is irresponsible and arrogant. There should have been public hearings providing a smooth transfer. It is impossible to get any information out of the NYPD through Freedom of Information requests. They will put you off and then say the information does not exist. People who work in government know this to be true. Try to get a police report when there is a carriage horse accident. Good luck again. Are NYPD officers really going to be on the hack line in the freezing cold weather with a thermometer? Most of them do not know the regulations. This will be a bonanza for the law breaking carriage drivers. This issue? -- to be continued. As usual - Thanks for nothing - ASPCA!
We just learned this: The carriage driver who was driving Chris on September 26th, the day of the accident, told activists today that Chris went to New Holland. This is the site of a large auction frequented by kill buyers. It may or may not be true. If true, it is horrendous - particularly since we offered to buy him. If it is not true and he is just mocking the activists, then this is equally as bad. Either way, it shows how they really feel about these horses -- they are just there to make money for them. And when they can't anymore, they are expendable.
EDUCATIONAL DEMO AGAINST THE NYC CARRIAGE TRADE
Saturday - October 19, 2013
We had a very energetic and effective demo on Saturday. Thanks to everyone for coming out and supporting the horses. Our next demo will be sometime in November - to be announced here. The picture here is of one of the carriage drivers challenging an activist. He looks like he is getting ready for Halloween.
IRRESPONSIBLE JOURNALISTS
Irresponsible journalists are having a field day with the carriage horse issue. It is suspected that the desperate carriage drivers are seeking out any and all reporters to write about them now that their days are numbered. Lies abound - from the number of dead horses to dismissing the accidents. This is one example. Straight out of the carriage drivers' playbook.
Many reporters no longer do research or confirm so called facts. They take a press release or an article from the AP or Reuters and manipulate it a bit before they put their name on it. (pic is of horse activist for deBlasio)
NEXT MAYOR OF NYC PLEDGES TO BAN HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES
whether deBlasio or Lhota
The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages has endorsed Bill deBlasio for mayor because he has made a commitment to shut down the inhumane and dangerous horse-drawn carriage trade. deBlasio has a significant lead in the polls.
However, this article from Huffington Post is an interview with Joe Lhota, the Republican nominee for mayor. Lhota says we need to motorize the carriages - without horses - similar to the picture we included in this newsletter last week. When asked about the horses, he said that he believes they go through a tremendous amount of trauma and that we have to think about animal rights.
BAN CARRIAGE HORSE AD T-SHIRTS AVAILABLE
We are now offering great looking t-shirts based on our successful ad campaign - Carriage Horses Suffer - thanks to Roberto, the Nomadic Cat -for the Ts and Jane Denny - for the original art work. Click here.
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On iGive - the name of our organization is "The Coalition for NYC Animals, Inc." We also have three stores on Cafe Press with great t-shirts, bags, hats, mugs, mouse pads, etc. Purchasing this merchandise helps our organization. Click here.
"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.
