New York City Mayor Eric Adams has called for a ban on carriage horses in the city and issued an executive order directing relevant agencies to fully prepare for a potential prohibition while also enhancing oversight and enforcement efforts, according to local news.
“We saw so many incidents where horses were running free, horses died on the street,” Adams stated. “We’re better than that as a city.”
The executive order tells city agencies to help facilitate the advancement of Ryder’s law or comparable legislation, find alternative employment for industry workers, establish a process for drivers to voluntarily relinquish their licenses, and consider new tourism initiatives for Central Park.
It also calls on law enforcement to crack down on carriages that unlawfully solicit fares or obstruct traffic and bike lanes, and instructs the Department of Transportation to review and potentially relocate boarding sites to less-crowded areas.
In addition to the order, Adams reportedly submitted a “letter of necessity” to the City Council, which gives them the ability to fast-track Ryder’s Law should they decide to move forward.
The mayor cited the rising numbers of park visitors, public health and safety concerns, and the welfare of the horses as reasons for supporting the ban.
This exciting news comes after the Central Park Conservancy — stewards of the city’s iconic park — expressed its support for Ryder’s Law in August.
Lady Freethinker commends Mayor Adams for taking a stand against this antiquated and cruel industry, and we urge the City Council to act swiftly to ban it. Please sign our petition supporting Ryder’s Law if you haven’t already — every signature brings us closer to making a change.
