NEW YORK (AP) --
The horse-drawn carriages that clip clop around Central Park could be
banned under City Council legislation to be introduced at the urging of
animal advocates who say the horses are treated inhumanely.
Councilman Tony Avella, who plans to introduce the bill next Wednesday,
said the horses that have entertained tourists and New Yorkers for
decades are exposed to cruel conditions and are at risk of injury or
death as they weave through city traffic.
In September, a horse died after it was spooked by street musicians
with drums and bolted down Central Park South. It was the second such
incident in less than two years.
"This situation is only getting worse -- the animals are not being
treated properly, and enough is enough,'' Avella said. "Horses are
incompatible with traffic -- especially midtown traffic.''
It is not clear how much support his bill has in the 51-member council,
and Mayor Michael Bloomberg said last week that the horses are cared
for and should stay as a New York City fixture.
"These are things that the tourists like and New Yorkers like and they define a city,'' he said.
The Horse & Carriage Association of New York issued a scathing
statement in response to the proposal, stating that the city's carriage
horses are in excellent health and Avella ``is the one who should be
put out to pasture.''
Technorati Tags: TONYLIMO, NYC, HORSES
The horse-drawn carriages that clip clop around Central Park could be
banned under City Council legislation to be introduced at the urging of
animal advocates who say the horses are treated inhumanely.
Councilman Tony Avella, who plans to introduce the bill next Wednesday,
said the horses that have entertained tourists and New Yorkers for
decades are exposed to cruel conditions and are at risk of injury or
death as they weave through city traffic.
In September, a horse died after it was spooked by street musicians
with drums and bolted down Central Park South. It was the second such
incident in less than two years.
"This situation is only getting worse -- the animals are not being
treated properly, and enough is enough,'' Avella said. "Horses are
incompatible with traffic -- especially midtown traffic.''
It is not clear how much support his bill has in the 51-member council,
and Mayor Michael Bloomberg said last week that the horses are cared
for and should stay as a New York City fixture.
"These are things that the tourists like and New Yorkers like and they define a city,'' he said.
The Horse & Carriage Association of New York issued a scathing
statement in response to the proposal, stating that the city's carriage
horses are in excellent health and Avella ``is the one who should be
put out to pasture.''
Technorati Tags: TONYLIMO, NYC, HORSES
Powered by ScribeFire.
No comments:
Post a Comment