Horse-Drawn Buggy Stampede in Brooklyn!

A horse-drawn buggy was totaled yesterday during a wild stampede through Borough Park in Brooklyn that left one car with a shattered windshield, the Post reports. The white buggy was a block away from picking up bride-to-be Nunzie Lumberto, who was waiting to be escorted to her wedding at Regina Hall of St. Rosalie's in Dyker Heights. But before she could get in, a wooden bar under the buggy snapped, striking one of the horses in the rear. Then it was off to the races!

The buggy driver tells the Post, "I held onto the reins with my body off the side," as the horses wildly dragged him down 12th Avenue toward 66th Street. They jumped onto a car waiting at a traffic light, shattering the windshield and nearly knocking the buggy driver loose. But he managed to hold on long enough to steer the wagon into a traffic pole, explaining, "My only choice was to direct the horses in a direction that could prevent someone from getting hurt."

WNBC has thorough slideshow of the aftermath, pictured here. Happily, the horses survived with just cuts and bruises to their legs, while the buggy driver sustained an injury to his face. And Ms. Lumberto bravely decided to go through with the wedding anyway, despite the ominous symbolism of the incident.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on September 1, 2008 11:26 AM

Comments [rss]

N.R23

That's what happens to people. You should see what happens to the horses. They are forced to work through extreme weather conditions. They work all day. When they are completely worn out they go to the slaughter house. Just look up pics of abused horses on Google.

cmacmurray

Obviously, horses spook in Brooklyn hauling a bridal couple, the same way they spook on the hack line in Manhattan when they hear a drum or a backfire (every 2 seconds in mid-town New York) or a wooden bar snapping under the buggy, as in the afore-mentioned wedding. When are Mayor Bloomberg and Speaker Quinn going to stop making the political choice (why, we do not know) of supporting the carriage industry rather than the people, who are at risk, and the horses who suffer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, only because they are defenseless without laws to protect them? The horses suffer the abuse of heartless people who insist on continuing this cruel practice, even though they do not have to. Another industry (horse-less carriages) is waiting in the wings to offer them jobs.

Sincerely,

Christine MacMurray

Lizzie2008

It is only a matter of time before a horse spooking accident kills someone in NYC. (are you listening City Council and Mayor?) Horses are prey animals and very fearful by nature - but their size makes them an unwitting weapon. The occupants of the car involved in the accident in Brooklyn were returning from church and saw the horses barreling toward them, out of control. There were several adults and a baby and they managed to get out of the way. It was a close call.

But sometimes people are not so lucky. In San Francisco, a 78 year old 49ers fan died early Saturday seven hours after he was knocked to the ground by a spooked horse in the parking lot of Candlestick Park.

The horse became terrified when a plastic trash bag flew into his face and lodged in his bridle. He panicked and raced through the parking lot knocking a few people down.

Yes, that is what horses do folks. They can easily spook ... from rustling leaves, loud noises, sudden movements. They do not belong in crowded cities like NYC.

Pressure your Council Members to sign on to Intro 658 the bill to ban horse-drawn carriages.

Roxanne

Let's not forget about city council member Michael McMahon who is the brother of the carriage industry's lobbyist. He is running for Congress. Vote for Harrison on Sept 9th and not McMahon. vote people and put these rogues out of a job.

Roxanne

This cruelty will continue to happen as long as Speaker Quinn in in office. She hates animals. She doesn't permit this bill intro 658 to ban to horse drawn carriages to be hear and voted. She won't pass the bill to require sprinklers in pet shops so I guess she wants animals burn alive and risk the safety of firefighters. She won't pass the bill to have humane education in school. People need to value life but Quinn doesn;t want the new generation to learn humanity. So when these kids grow up they will have no qualms beating defenseless elderly women in elevators. I value life but in regards to Speaker Quinn, she is WORTHLESS.

This is why TERM LIMITS must be respected. We voted TWICE for term limits to show them we were not joking but now Quinn and the city council wants to change the law we voted for TWICE.

The rogues are Jessica Lappin, Simcha Felder, James Gennaro, Vallone Jr, Gale Brewer, Oliver Koppell, Inez Dickens (they rubberstamp what Quinn does, there is no check and balances in the city council, it is a one woman show-Quinn's show)

I say End the tyranny and boot Quinn and her posse out of OFFICE.

Vote for Avealla for Mayor. he cares for people and animals. He is compassionate. he is for term limits, against rezoning for wealthy developers, against the pay raise Quinn gave herself and the council.

VOTE People, stop letting Quinn and her posse violate our rights and our city

moocowtoo

This story totally buggies me.

Fritzdecat

I am a former NY Farrier and I will echo the refrain of Smitty, no horses in the damn city.

People want to get nostalgic about the long forgotten past they should try the mode of transport employed prior to horse domestication

WALKING

cncrocket

yeah, its fucking disgusting that horses are allowed on streets in NEW YORK CITY. idiots.

Wza

Smitty...agreed!

Peter

Some years ago, a couple my mother knew were taking a carriage ride on a trip to Las Vegas. Something spooked the horses and they went running out of control. The carriage overturned on top of the woman (her husband was thrown free), and to make a bad situation worse she was dragged underneath the carriage for a long distance. She suffered massive face and head injuries, and ended up in a nursing home for several years before dying.