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Tourist travel returns in New York
(New York, NY) — A recent incident in which a carriage horse broke loose and ran into New York City traffic has once again thrust the city’s carriage horse debate into the spotlight. The frightening scene raised fresh concerns about public safety and animal welfare, issues that critics say are inevitable when large animals are made to work among busy streets, honking cars, and dense crowds around Central Park.
Listen To Lionel Discuss The Debate Here:
Animal rights advocates argue the episode underscores why the practice is outdated and inhumane, while supporters of the industry insist such incidents are rare and that the horses are well cared for under strict city regulations. As in the past, the incident has prompted renewed calls from elected officials and activists to finally ban carriage horses altogether.
New York Councilman James Gennaro Defends The Carriage Horse Industry:
Behind the emotional debate lies a quieter, but equally intense fight over money and land. The horses are housed in stables on Manhattan’s West Side, where the real estate is among the most valuable in the city. Opponents of the carriage horse industry argue the focus should remain squarely on the animals’ welfare, while industry defenders say the push to eliminate the horses is driven in part by developers eager to unlock prime property for lucrative projects. That tension has fueled suspicion that the long-running battle is about more than tradition versus reform — it is also about who stands to benefit from some of New York’s most coveted real estate.
TWU’S John Samuelsen Discusses The State Of The Carriage Horse Industry:
