Michelle Villagomez, ASPCA

Michelle Villagomez, representing the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), testified on January 30, 2009 in support of a full ban (Intro. 658-A) on horse-drawn carriages in New York City and against an industry bill (Intro. 653-A) that would reward drivers and remove the ASPCA from its current role in inspection of the horses to ensure their well-being. Ms. Villagomez, who is the senior manager of advocacy and campaigns for the ASPCA, spoke on behalf of the 25,000 New York City supporters of the ASPCA. Neither the urban environment nor current law can ensure the safety or welfare of the horses, she said. The horses' physiological and behavioral well-being is paramount, she said. Horses were never meant "to live and work in today's urban setting," she testified, adding that their basic needs are not met under current operating conditions. In addition to the humane issues, having horses in traffic imperils the public safety, she stated. She listed numerous problems: having to work in immoderate temperatures, without consideration of heat index or wind-chill factors; lack of daily turnout; and inadequate housing with poor ventilation, among others. The ASPCA's position with regard to New York City's carriage-horse industry is that "it can no longer accept the status quo," particularly since it has firsthand knowledge of ongoing problems and violations.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Michelle Villagomez
• ASPCA
• Intro. 658-A
• Intro. 653-A
• Intro. 658A
• Intro. 653A
• carriage horse
• horse-drawn carriage
• Tony Avella
• Leroy Comrie
• Charles Barron
• John Liu
• James Gennaro
• G. Oliver Koppell