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 - In this issue: ** Please keep the faith ** Telephone Tuesday call the City Council ** The truth about the "summer vacations" - new blog **
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PLEASE KEEP THE FAITH!
It's not over 'till it's over
I know that many of you feel that Mayor deBlasio lied about promising to ban the horse-drawn carriages in NYC - that he is a typical politician and did it to get elected. Some of you believe the ban will not happen. It has been very difficult watching this issue unfold for more than one year from the perspective of the other side. The media is either opposed to the ban; does not do research or does not print the truth. The only place you will read the truth is through our blogs and some articles - such as on One Green Planet and the Dodo. Never the main stream media. My new offering is called "The Truth about those Summer Vacations." You will never read this truth in the NY Times, News, Post, or any of the main stream media.
I am in touch with the Mayor's office. They continue to tell me that the Mayor's stance on this issue has not changed. The ban legislation is taking a long time because they want to be sure that there are no loose ends when the bill is introduced. Please remember that this is the closest we have ever been to getting this inhumane and unsafe business shut down. We are still in the fight and will not give up. We hope you do not either.
The campaign in Israel, which resulted in a ban on horse-drawn carts, took 10-12 years. Please understand that it takes a long time to be rid of institutional cruelty -- something that is so ingrained in society. I have been working on this issue since the early 90s. All campaigns in those days involved "improving" regulations. It did not work. In 2006, in response to the tragic death of a 5-year old carriage horse named Spotty, we formed the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages. We said "enough is enough." It is a ban or nothing. Many people told us that it would never happen because the industry was very politically connected. I personally felt that if I was going to put so much time into this issue that it would be for a ban - not for improved regulations, which would not happen anyway. I also have had lots of patience because I gave it 10 years to happen. In January, our organization will be 9 years old -- 2015 is the 10 year of our existence.
So, please keep the faith in this 11th hour. What choice do we have? We do hope that Mayor deBlasio takes action soon because the busiest season is almost upon us,, which is when the horses are worked to the point of exhaustion.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THOSE "SUMMER VACATIONS"
new blog
The Truth About Those Summer Vacations: This blog addresses an issue that has been used to fool the public - "vacations." It is another example of how the carriage trade, with the help of certain council members, scammed the public into believing that this was a good thing. There are no required inspections and no one knows what happens to the horses. We have heard that those who go to Amish farms might well be pulling a plow as pictured here. You will never hear the truth from the media. Never.
FROM THE BLOG: In 2010, a local law was passed that required NYC carriage horse owners to provide a "5-week vacation for their horses." The language of this new regulation can be found under Regulations in the Administrative Code - Rental Horse and Protection Law. The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene seriously failed the horses with this legislation because nowhere did they ask for a list of farms that would participate in this program; nor did they require inspections of these farms. This omission begs the questions of where the horses actually go and what are they are doing once they get there. It is all on the honor system.
In October 2011, former ASPCA equine veterinarian, Pamela Corey was quoted in the New York Post. "Dr. Corey, the director of equine veterinary services of the ASPCA's humane law-enforcement department, said
"We have observed some horses returning to New York City after furloughs on a farm in worse condition than when they left."
This statement was never investigated and was apparently ignored.
While some of the drivers do own farms and hopefully their horses do get to relax, most do not. It has been rumored that many of the horses are sent to Amish farmers where they are worked for this period and not fed properly in exchange for satisfying the "vacation" requirement. This would account for Corey's observation. The Amish would never tolerate seeing a horse just hanging around in the pasture doing nothing. The farmer would want to put him or her to work. This is no "vacation."
This is just one of the many truths about the carriage trade that has been kept from the public because of media bias. Let's get over believing that the carriage drivers "love" their horses.
They are commodities who exist only to make them money.
DON'T FORGET: TELEPHONE TUESDAY - October 8th
Please take a few minutes to call your Council Member
Telephone Tuesday is our new initiative to help you remember to make your call. On Tuesday (or any day) please take a few minutes to call your Council Member -- if you have not yet done so. Thanks to all of you who have made the calls -- particularly those who called from outside NYC. Thanks for caring so much.
Your participation is the only way to make a difference -- not standing on the side lines and expecting someone else to do it. If you do not make the small effort to call your Council Member, how do you expect they will know your views?
Ten months into the deBlasio administration and we are no closer to shutting down the inhumane and unsafe carriage trade than we were one year ago. Please contact your council member and ask him or her to support a bill to ban horse-drawn carriages. CALL THEM. Do not e-mail or fax. These methods of communication are more likely to be ignored.
- NYC RESIDENTS: www.council.nyc.gov -- Call your Council Member.
- OUTSIDE NYC: Call Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito's office. 212-828-9800
deleted. Calls have much more impact and a
Instructions
- http://www.council.nyc.gov/html/members/members.shtml
- Plug in your address to find out who your Council Member is.
- Look for the telephone number for the District Office.
- SUGGESTED SCRIPT - YOU: Good morning, my name is [your name] and I am a constituent. I live on [your address] I support an unconditional ban on horse-drawn carriages and I would like to know what [your Council Member's name] position is on this issue. You might also tell them it is a public safety issue and it is inhumane. If you live outside of NYC, call Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito's office and tell them were you live.
- COUNCIL OFFICE: the person who answers the phone may transfer you to someone else or suggest you call the Legislative Office or actually take the message.
- YOU: If they support a ban - thank them; If they are on the fence ask them why and if they would be open to receiving some links to articles. If they are against the ban - ask them why and if they would be open to receiving some links to articles.They might say that there a bill had not yet been introduced. Tell them that the Mayor has said a bill will be introduced soon and you want to know in general whether they would support a ban or not.
- IMPORTANT: If they say they would be willing to receive some information, ask them for the e-mail address of a specific person - maybe the Chief of Staff, maybe the Legislative Aide. Do not agree to send it to their office e-mail. You can say that you want to be sure someone receives it.
- Note: If the Council Office is not able to give you an answer, tell them that you will follow up in a week. Tell them this is a very important issue and you would like an answer. And follow up.
THESE ARE THE ARTICLE LINKS:
RESULT OF PHONE CALL: Please let us know what happened - e-mail us at coalition@banhdc.org
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"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.
