New York City Council to Vote on Banning Central Park Carriage Horses
Legislation aims to phase out the industry, with officials promising protections for workers and horses.
Legislation aims to phase out the industry, with officials promising protections for workers and horses.
· Updated
The New York City Council is set to vote on legislation that would phase out the city's carriage horse industry in Central Park. Council Speaker Julie Menin announced that the chamber would hold a vote on October 22.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated his support for the ban, vowing that his administration would ensure the safety of workers and horses. Animal rights advocates have long campaigned for an end to the practice, with recent incidents highlighting concerns.
A carriage horse collapsed and died in June, followed by the death of a tourist, Romanch Mahajan, who fell from a runaway carriage horse in the park. Following Mahajan's death, a bill to ban carriage horses was renamed in his honor and a public hearing was held.
While the legislation aims to provide new economic opportunities for displaced drivers, the Transport Workers Union, which represents them, expressed concerns that the bill lacks concrete economic relief. Animal rights group NYCLASS and the Central Park Conservancy have supported the ban.
FAQ
When will the New York City Council vote on the carriage horse ban?
The New York City Council is scheduled to hold a vote on October 22.
What protections are planned for workers and horses?
City officials have stated that the administration will ensure workers and owners are protected and that the horses will be safe, with plans to connect drivers with new economic opportunities.
