Horse Used for Rides Had Painful Ulcers
It’s bad enough to be forced to pull heavy carriages in all weather extremes through New York City’s busy, exhaust-filled streets, but a necropsy on Charlie, the horse who collapsed and died while “working” last week, found that he also suffered from painful stomach ulcers and a cracked tooth. Charlie’s death sparked renewed calls for a ban on cruel horse-drawn carriages in New York, including a letter from Glee star Lea Michele asking Mayor Michael Bloomberg to support a bill to end the rides. Bloomberg’s comments on Charlie’s death have been astonishingly cold-hearted: “Like everyone, eventually they die,” he said. “Some die on the streets.”
Charlie is the latest victim of an industry that exploits animals in order to turn a buck despite increasing opposition from the public and lawmakers. There have been countless incidents resulting in injuries to and the deaths of both horses and people when horses used for carriage rides become spooked and bolt into traffic or when carriages crash.
Whether you’re a resident or a potential tourist, please tell New York City lawmakers that you support Intro. Bill 86, which would ban horse-drawn carriages and replace them with eco-friendly classic cars.
Written by Heather Faraid Drennan
