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
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URGENT - NYC CARRIAGE HORSES NEED YOUR HELP
see what you can do below
On February 1, 2015, HorseSense went on hiatus. We are not really back -- still revolving some issues - but what has happened this past week was too important not to share. Thanks to all of you who have recently subscribed. We appreciate your support. If you are on Facebook, the best place to keep up with this issue is our page No Walk in the Park.
CITY SPONSORED ANARCHY: It has been a very cold and snowy winter in NYC. The law clearly states that carriage drivers are not supposed to work their horses in adverse weather conditions, which includes snow, icy and heavy rain. But it is very difficult to get the law enforced. The NYPD was supposed to take over for the ASPCA when the latter gave up humane law enforcement in January 2014. It is a mess. It is not just weather conditions that are not enforced -- many other regulations are not enforced either. The carriage drivers continue to make U-turns on Central Park South with impunity.
This is an article I wrote that was published in TheDodo - NYC's Horses Forced To Work In Brutal Storms As City Turns Blind Eye. It describes what happened last Sunday, March 1st, which was a dangerous, snowy day. Please read it -- it is all painfully true.
This is a piece Donny Moss did in his blog TheirTurn.net Video: NYC Horse-Drawn Carriage Drivers Work Illegally in Parade During Snow Storm. This happened on the same day, March 1st - but in Queens at the St. Patrick's Day Parade. (photo by R. Delgado)
CALL THE NYC CITY COUNCIL
If you want to make a difference for the carriage horses, YOU MUST CALL THE NYC CITY COUNCIL.
Your participation is the only way to make a difference. Please do not stand on the side lines and expect 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? This is link to INTRO 573 - the bill to ban horse-drawn carriages.
CLICK HERE to reach the Council web site to find out who your council member is. CALL the DISTRICT OFFICE - DO NOT E-MAIL OR FAX. These methods of communication are more likely to be ignored.
- 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 if [your Council Member's name] supports Intro 573, the bill to ban horse-drawn carriages. You might also tell them it is a public safety issue and it is inhumane. You may also mention that the drivers continue to violate the laws, which are not being enforced.
- 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. Confirm with them that they are keeping track of such phone calls since it is legally required that they do.
- YOU: If they support a ban - thank them; If they are on the fence or opposed to the ban ask them why and if they would be open to receiving more information.
- 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 general office e-mail. You can say that you want to be sure someone receives it. Contact us for assistance with this. coalition@banhdc.org
- 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. Follow up.
- RESULT OF PHONE CALL: Please let us know what happened - e-mail us at coalition@banhdc.org
EVERYONE: this is for out-of-towners who are with us on this issue -- and for New Yorkers; those whose representatives have already signed on to the bill; and those whose representatives are opposed to a ban (you will find out who they are when you call.) Please call everyone on this list. You can spread it out over several days.
- CALL THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS ON THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE:
- James Vacca - 718-931-1721
- Deborah Rose - 718-556-7370
- David G. Greenfield - 718-853-2704
- Antonio Reynoso - 718-963-3141
- Daniel Garodnick - 212-818-0580
- Jimmy Van Bramer - 718-383-9566
- Carlos Menchaca - 718-439-9012
- Stephen Levin 718-875-5200
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO:
- Visit the District Office of your Council Member. Tell them that you are a constituent and want the CM to support Intro 573. Ask for a meeting. Bring a hand written letter to the Council Member - this will go a long way.
- Call your Council Member every week if they are undecided to remind them that you would like them to support Intro 573. Don't be shy. They represent you.
RINGLING BROTHERS TO PHASE OUT ELEPHANTS
great animal rights victory
Many of you have already heard this monumental news -- that Ringling Brothers has caved to pressure and plans to phase out the elephants. However, many also wonder why it has to be three years. This is the NY Times editorial -- Why Not Retire the Circus Elephants Now? Of course, we are somewhat taken aback by this NY Times position since they support the carriage drivers. All one has to do is substitute the word "elephant" for "carriage horses" and it is essentially the same argument.
PLEASE DONATE TO HELP US WIN THIS VICTORY
The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages started this campaign in 2006 and we continue. We are an all volunteer, grass roots organization that is in it to win it. But we need your support. Our subway ad is just ending now but we want to get back to advertising in newspapers. Please donate what can.
This is a a picture of our sub way ad at one of the many NYC stations.
HELP OUR ORGANIZATION BY SHOPPING ONLINE - iGIVE
If you buy online, you can help the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages
Through a free registration with iGive, when you buy merchandise on line, your purchase will help us. Many organizations give a percentage of the sale to not for profit organizations at no cost to you. There are more than 1500 stores that include such popular ones as Amazon.com, Staples, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble. Click here to get started.
On iGive - the name of our organization is "The Coalition for NYC Animals, Inc." Click here to begin.
PLEASE JOIN US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
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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.
