Linda Marcus testifies in support of a ban on horse-drawn carriages in NYC

Linda Marcus is seen here testifying at a public hearing on two bills affecting New York City's horse-drawn carriage industry. A longtime horse owner, Ms. Marcus stated that in 2008 she rescued a 7-year-old former NYC carriage horse, who she named "Chance." The horse was one day away from being sent to slaughter, she told the Consumer Affairs committee. Her horse's hooves were crumbling. A vet said that this was a result of poor diet, pounding the pavement, and poor horse-shoeing. The former owner apparently had not given the horse even a few months to see if the hooves might regrow, Ms. Marcus testified. Instead, the horse was sent to a Pennsylvania "sanctuary," which Ms. Marcus said might be more aptly described as a "muddy holding pen." Horses that aren't sold within a week, she explained, are sent to slaughter. These kinds of arrangements are being exposed with increasing frequency; they represent an unfortunate loophole in the law that allows NYC carriage owners to avoid sending horses directly to slaughter. Faux horse rescue operations such as this are all too common.
The January 30, 2009, hearing was held to hear public comment on two bills: one that would ban the industry outright (Intro. 658), and one that would reward this cash-only industry with a raise and less oversight (Intro. 653). A full ban is supported by the ASPCA, Humane Society of the United States, Friends of Animals, and countless other animal protection and advocacy organizations. The Bar Association of New York City also supports a full ban, and opposes the industry bill, which it says will only make things worse for the horses.

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News & Politics

Tags:

• carriage horse
• horse-drawn carriage
• Linda Marcus
• Intro. 658-A
• Intro. 653-A
• Intro. 658A
• Intro. 653A
• Leroy Comrie
• James Gennaro
• Charles Barron
• Tony Avella
• John Liu
• G. Oliver Koppell
• horse slaughter