News: Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages

July 5, 2008

HORSE SENSE Weekly updates about issues and actions concerning New York City's Carriage Horses

Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages www.banhdc.org

Fliers ** Quinn Post Cards ** Irish Animal Rights ** No enforcement ** NY Post ** What you can do ** Volunteer ** Blogs

PLEASE POST OUR CARRIAGE HORSE FLIER get the word out about this issue

Please help us get the word out about this issue by posting our flier - at pet supply stores, veterinarians' offices, gyms, community centers - or any other place there may be a tack board for postings. If you would like to post some fliers in your neighborhood, please

contact me at coalitionbanhdc . There are two options. Option 1: I will send you a PDF file of the flier (there are two per page) You must be able to print it on a color printer and you may print as many as you like. Option 2: I can send you several copies by snail mail. The link on the flier takes you to the news/announcement page, It is a good place to review the issues.

QUINN POST CARD CAMPAIGN still time to return completed cards to us

There is still time to return your completed post cards to us. We have received thousands, so thank you for a great job. I will let you know how it progresses.

IRISH ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUPS support NYC legislation to ban horse-drawn carriages

We are pleased to add two Irish animal rights groups to our long list of supporters of Intro 658 - the bill to ban the horse-drawn carriage industry in NYC. They are Animal Rights Action Network in Limerick and Alliance for Animal Rights in Dublin.

NO ENFORCEMENT Wild Wild West on Central Park South

One of the people who care about the carriage horses lives near the hack line on Central Park South and often sees problems. She walks her dogs late at night. Rather than to reinterpret what she wrote - this is her e-mail: For months I have been reporting violations as seen in Central park and in Midtown to the ASPCA. We all know not one thing has been done, not one summons issued, they just call back to cover themselves so we don't feel ignored. Last night at 1AM in Central Park carriage number 1046's rear legs were buckling. I summoned two police officers while speaking to Humane Law's recording. After all the ASPCA keeps telling me that after 9PM they are not around and to call the police. The police flat out said they wanted zero to do with this and looked at me like I was nuts when I told them that the "A" had instructed us to call them. Both rear legs on this black horse (royal blue wagon) were buckling under, it could not even walk they were

folding. I told the driver I was a volunteer for the ASPCA and that they had to bring that horse back to the stable. I left a "strong" message for Humane Law. This horse was so weak its hind legs giving way. Of course the driver ignored me, the police ignored me, the A will do nothing. Its the summer and the horses are in BIG trouble once again. I know you all feel the same frustrations, but when you see an isolated incident it is more harsh that just statistics.

In addition two tourists had the driver of a carriage at midnight the night before whipping the horse to run fast. It broke into a fast run, faster than the permitted trotting and the Human Law Enforcement returned my call to tell me that they were not aware of any law regarding the galloping? Well i told them to read their handbook. NOTE: Please contact the ASPCA at 212-876-7700. Ask to speak with president Ed Sayres. The ASPCA should make a statement informing the public about what to do when they see an incident like the one described above. This should not be the Wild West with no enforcement at all. The police are responsible when the ASPCA is not available. But do they know that? This needs to be clarified. The Humane Law Officers also need to be aware of all aspects of the laws regulating this industry. According to the NYC Administrative Code - Section 17-330 h. Carriage horses shall not be driven at a pace faster than a trot. Riding horses may be ridden at a canter but shall not be galloped.

If you see any type of violation - in addition to calling the ASPCA Humane Law Division - 212-876-7700 - x 4450, please call these three NYC Council Members: Dan Garodnick - 212-818-0580; Gale Brewer - 212-873-0282; Christine Quinn - (212) 788-7210. The carriage horses work within their Council districts. Always report the date, time of incident; location; license number - description of horse, carriage and driver - and a good description of the issue. In addition, always let us know - coalitionbanhdc.

NY POST AT IT AGAIN P. 6 - the gossip rag insults Alec Baldwin

The classy New York Post ran a P. 6 piece last week Pooping on Alec. None of the organizations or people involved with this campaign have ever advocated for the horses to be euthanized. This includes the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages and PETA. This is a lie that is being promoted by the carriage industry. Our plans are to place the horses in a sanctuary or good homes. The industry does not want you to know that they have a huge turnover of horses - about 1/3 every year. It is not economically feasible for the owners to keep all the horses they "retire" and we believe that many of these horses go to the auctions to be sold to the highest bidder. If a horse goes to slaughter - it is the owner who makes the

decision to bring him there. The following is Dr. Holly Cheever's response: I must correct your completely inaccurate statement about Alec Baldwin's intentions for the retired carriage horses, should the ban proposed by Council member Tony Avella be instated to get these suffering animals off the city streets and out of a trade so anachronistic that I can find no comparison. I have been involved with urban carriage horse trades around the country for 20 years (promulgating protective legislation and instituting bans,) and worked with Mr. Baldwin in the late '80's in New York on this issue. His intent, then as now, is the same as all the humane advocates who want to stop this inappropriate use of horses, namely to get the horses retired to good Samaritans'

farms, rather than go to slaughter as they currently do. Kindly get your facts straight, please. Sincerely, Holly Cheever, DVM, Vice President of the New York State Humane Association

WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW to help the carriage horses

WRITE LETTERS: Certain papers are likely to pick up letters that do not address published articles. Some of them are:

Metro - letters 150 words AM-NY - am-letters 150 words NY Daily News - voicers (short -about 50 words) neighborhood papers (find them in street newspaper boxes)

HELP TONY AVELLA BECOME MAYOR:

Donate to his campaign. Contributions up to $175 are matched 6 to 1 by the Campaign Finance Board. Host a fund raiser (can be small simple party of your friends - a barbecue, picnic, house party) Ask me about it

VOLUNTEER WITH US every weekend weather permitting

We table every Saturday weather permitting -- handing out fliers and getting signatures on post cards or petitions. We educate people about the inhumanity of the carriage horse trade. It is very rewarding and our presence on Central Park South near the hack line is very important. Please contact Rita, our volunteer coordinator if you are available for next weekend Saturday, July 12th. Hours are from 1-5. Rita can be reached at volunteerforthecoalition We also plan to table at street fairs this summer and fall, including the Blessing of the Animals at St. John the Divine on Amsterdam Avenue.

POLITICAL BLOG and CARRIAGE HORSE BLOG New York Views - a sporadical - & Horse Watch NYC

Check out New York Views - and read about how Speaker Christine Quinn shortchanged her "enemies" when doling out big money to her supporters. Tony Avella was at the bottom of the list because he has had the courage to "defy" her.

Avella got "a mere $340,464 - the lowest of anyone on the council, which he said is 'morally and ethically challenged.' " Interesting that Council member Michael McMahon got $1.2 million. He just happens to be the brother of James McMahon, carriage horse lobbyist and Tom McMahon, also a carriage horse lobbyist and husband of Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs who oversees the Department of Health, which oversees the carriage horse industry. Only in New York folks - only in New York.

See Don't Ask an Officer to Help a Horse in the HorseWatchNYC blog. This is a report on the recent event in Central Park. And read the most recent blog Of Log Books and Law Judges.

"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.

email: coalitionbanhdc

web: http://www.banhdc.org

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.