This week, a disturbing image of a horse that collapsed and died in Central Park has sparked renewed efforts to ban horse-drawn carriage rides by animal rights activists.
The graphic signs, which were funded by PETA, appeared at the intersection of 51st and 11th Avenues in Hell’s Kitchen, close to where the horse, named Lady, died on August 5th.
“Another horse is gone. Please don’t ride,” a plea on the sign reads.
PETA spokesperson Ashley Byrne expressed concern, asking, “How many more horses need to suffer and die on the streets of New York before this practice is deemed unacceptable?”
The horse’s sudden death has ignited discussions about whether the city council should enact new regulations for carriage rides.
Even those who traditionally remain neutral, like park stewards, are now reconsidering their stance.
On Tuesday, the Central Park Conservancy called on lawmakers to end horse-drawn carriage practices, citing issues like public safety and damage to park infrastructure, along with the problem of drivers not cleaning up after their horses.
“As caretakers of Central Park, we are dedicated to preserving this iconic space for everyone’s enjoyment,” the Conservancy stated.
The union representing carriage drivers countered that these animals are not subject to the harsh conditions purported by animal activists. They also mentioned that initial autopsy findings indicate the horse’s death resulted from an aortic rupture caused by tumors.
“The Conservancy has betrayed its mission to maintain the historic character of Central Park,” remarked Christina Hansen, a spokesperson for Big Apple Horse Carriage Drivers.
“This park was meant to be experienced from a horse-drawn carriage, with the horses bringing life to the scenery,” she added.
The Central Park Conservancy’s website points out that the drive, established in the mid-1800s, was specifically designed for scenic carriage tours, which were common for transportation at the time, discouraging excessive speeding.
Lady had only begun offering rides after arriving from Pennsylvania in June, where she had been sold at auction. She had passed the city’s mandatory health checks without any reported issues before tragically collapsing.
