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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 FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES ** Fund Raiser for hungry cats in Puerto Rico ** Sign our petition to ban horse-drawn carriages ** Letters to the editor & blog to ban this issue ** help us fund raise
LAST CALL - HELP THE HOMELESS CATS IN PUERTO RICO
Tuesday February 18th - please show support for the cats and a former New York friend
If you love cats, you will find them where ever you go - and this is exactly what happened to former New Yorker, Glen Venezio, who moved to Puerto Rico five years ago and soon got involved with feeding the island's homeless cats who have grown to depend on Glen. There is a huge stray population there. Glen works with others to neuter the cats so they do not breed, but he takes it upon himself to feed them -- every day.
Please come to our fund raiser on February 18th. It is $20 at the door and there is a two drink minimum plus a great comedy show MCd by Harris Bloom.
This is Harris' blog about Glen's cats. Click Here. If you are not able to attend, you may donate in a few ways. Glen buys his cat food at the Walmart's in Puerto Rico - he gets the money right away if you buy the card as per this link -- or you may donate by Paypal. I have been a fan for years. His e-mail address is sethspeaksnyc@gmail.com
HELP THE COALITION FUND RAISE BY BUYING PRODUCTS
and help yourself also - read below
We'd like to do more advertising - maybe billboards or more bus ads like we did last year, but we need a steady source of income. As you know, we are all volunteer and collect no salaries. All donations go into the organization for our expenses such as this newsletter, web site, copying, posters and advertising. The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages is teaming up with Earth and Animal Wellness, LLC
They are helping us with fundraising and can also help you with animal friendly/kid friendly products that are less expensive than Walmart and made here in the U.S. If you want to know more, email Cindy Wines at cindy@Earthandanimalwellness.com or look up her Earth and Animal Wellness Blog.
Cindy is helping Orphan Acres in Idaho and Big Cat Rescue in Florida to earn money for the animals and their programs. She has always been interested in our cause and now she wants to help us. Please take the time to look around the site and get an understanding of how every time you shop on line for great products, 5% can go to us. Learn more by contacting Cindy Wines - cindy@Earthandanimalwellness.com
SIGN OUR PETITION TO BAN HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES IN NYC
to Mayor and City Council
We realize that Mayor deBlasio has only been in office for less than two months and he has many challenges. But we want to let him know that there are many people who want the inhumane and unsafe carriage trade shut down - and we want it soon. We have not gone away. So please click here to sign the petition and please share it with your friends and colleagues.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
USA Today - by Donny Moss
USA TODAY - Ban carriage horses in New York City? Your Say - 2/10/14 -
Like New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, many New Yorkers believe that horse-drawn carriages can no longer be operated humanely or safely in midtown Manhattan.
Unlike pedestrians who use sidewalks, the carriage horses work in the streets with motor vehicles, putting them in harm's way for nine hours a day. And, because horses can become dangerous when they spook and run frantically down busy streets, they pose a hazard to us. No amount of regulation can stop a horse from spooking.
Denying horses the chance to graze freely each day is inhumane. Without a pasture, they are unable to fulfill their most basic instincts. Our country was built on the backs of horses. It's time we reciprocate by taking them off of NYC's inhospitable streets and giving them a humane retirement. - Donny Moss; New York -
The writer made the documentary film Blinders about the controversy surrounding NYC's horse-drawn carriage trade.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Queens Times Leger - by Mickey Kramer
Queens Time Ledger - 2/7/14 - I commend state Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) for his continued common sense support for New York City to join other congested cities, such as London and Paris, in ending the antiquated horse-drawn carriage industry ("Borough carriage drivers fear for jobs," Jan 31-Feb. 6).
As Avella reminds us, businesses close every day because they are no longer appropriate. Large animals, with a history of spooking, pulling old rickety carriages with no seatbelts in traffic with cars, pedestrians, buses and emergency vehicles is not appropriate or safe.
I am looking forward to Mayor Bill de Blasio keeping his word and, along with the City Council, ending this industry sooner rather than later. - Mickey Kramer
This picture was taken by Donny Moss on 2/16/14 and shows a horse carriage coming out of the park passing a water trough that is difficult to access because of the snow. If the drivers cared, they would easily dig out a path to the trough. We have complained to the authorities to correct this and make sure it does not happen again.
REIGNING IN CRUELTY AT LAST
blog by Scotlund Haisley
Reigning in Cruelty at Last - Opponents to the ban often argue that the industry is regulated and therefore somehow safe or humane, but this is simply not true. The New York City carriage horse industry is regulated by The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). These two agencies are tasked with the licensing of horses and drivers, the inspection of carriages and stables, and the welfare assessment of the industry's 220 working horses. The regulations are often difficult to enforce and sadly, even when enforced, suffering, accidents, and tragedy still occur.
Distressingly, an audit conducted in 2007 by the former city Comptroller found that both departments, DOHMH and DCA, had committed gross abandonment of their duties. In addition to neglecting to assemble the required advisory board, it was reported that the DOHMH veterinary consultant spent an estimated 25 minutes in total during stable inspections, which included travel time, physical examination, and paperwork completion, and had entirely failed to examine the condition of any of the horses in the field. The DCA was found to be no better, improperly issuing carriage licenses and failing to perform the required number of carriage inspections. The report concluded that the departments were "not ensuring that all of the carriages are licensed, safe, and that the horses, drivers, and public are not at risk".
PLEASE JOIN US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Google Blog & Flickr
HELP OUR ORGANIZATION BY SHOPPING ON LINE
Also check out Cafe Press to purchase CBHDC merchandise
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 & Noble. Even Cafe Press is available if you purchase some of our merchandise. Click here to get started.
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.
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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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