A rally at City Hall featured dozens of politicians and activists urging the NYC Council to pass Ryder's Law, which seeks to end the horse carriage industry in New York City. Queens Council Member Robert Holden, the bill's sponsor, joined NYCLASS and other advocates in calling attention to the plight of horses like Ryder, who suffered health issues while working. The rally followed a controversial animal abuse trial where a carriage driver was found not guilty., leading to calls for more stringent regulations. Advocates highlighted failures in oversight from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Queens NYC Council Member Robert Holden stated, "The fact that a visibly sick horse like Ryder was allowed to work at all is unbelievable and inexcusable." Holden emphasized that current regulations fail to protect the horses, urging the City Council to take action. He criticized the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for systemic failures in regulating the horse carriage industry, stating, "they fell asleep at the wheel on animal welfare." This sentiment was echoed by a juror from the recent animal abuse trial, who suggested the Department of Health should be held accountable.
The rally, attended by concerned New Yorkers holding signs reading, "End horse abuse," called for the passing of Ryder's Law to terminate the horse carriage industry in NYC. If approved, the law would prohibit the issuance of new licenses for horse-drawn carriages, effectively ending this long-standing practice. The urgency for action has been heightened by a recent incident where a carriage driver was found not guilty of abusing a horse named Ryder, despite evidence of neglect and health issues.
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