Will Paterson And PETA Join Forces?

Following his interview with Ecorazzi, Gov. David Paterson's stance on carriage horses has caught the attention of PETA, who gave it a Purr in their "Purrs & Grrs" print column. Paterson says the industry needs to treat the horses better, or the tourist trap should be phased out completely—his spokeswoman explained that the horses often suffer under difficult work and stable conditions... but also acknowledges that they are important to tourism and the "fabric of New York City's culture."

Indeed, it comes down to nostalgia versus animal rights. An ASPCA spokesman declares it's time to shed our past, however, saying carriage horses must "join bustles and gas lamps in the pages of history and not on the streets of New York." But a carriage horse operator counters by saying, "We're a very iconic business. We're as famous as the Empire State Building and the Plaza Hotel. We hold New York's greatest commodity in the palm of our hands: tourists." Would tourists be just as satisfied with antique electric cars?

Meanwhile, WCBS reports that Paterson going head-to-head with the two-century old tradition has garnered "a growl" from Mayor Bloomberg's office, who say reforms "in the works for more than a year could soon address long-standing concerns about the familiar attraction." We're just waiting for PETA to make Paterson the face of their next campaign.

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

By Jen Carlson in News on January 27, 2010 11:50 AM

Comments [rss]

michaleen

The Governor is a DISGRACE - he has never set foot in one of our stables, and knows nothing about our business or the lives of our horses, yet he proceeds to try and hurt a legal, licensed, and well-operated iconic NYC business.

The welfare of the horses is what the decent-minded, casual, NORMAL (hear that, Felix?) observer is truly interested in, and for good reason. The horse-drawn carriages are a New York City icon; they are ambassadors to our visitors, and the horses themselves are working animals that are entitled to proper care and good handling.

Fortunately, our record reflects exactly that. Our horses lead exceedingly reasonable and content lives. They each receive a superior, formulated diet, occupy roomy box stalls, receive vet & farrier care, and are groomed and bathed regularly. This amounts to food, shelter, and medical care - which many CHILDREN in this state do not have, Mr. Governor!

Beyond these basics, they are loved by their owners/drivers; they receive affection, treats, and human interaction everyday. Every stable has a sprinkler system in case of fire, and every stable has 24/7 stablemen. We are overseen by 5 city agencies, and not one WEEK goes by (and sometimes, day) that our horses are not checked by the ASPCA or the Dept of Health. (Let’s see Child Protective Services match that record, MR. GOVERNOR!)

The horses receive rotation turnout several times a year on farms in both Upstate NY and PA.

If the Gov even bothered to lift a phone before bashing us, he could have called the Mayor's Office and found that not only are we as an industry proactive in constant improvements, but that there is a Horse Rental Advisory board set up by the city to field any problems.

Anybody hell-bent on putting carriages out of business should hop on down to the auction & buy a slaughter-bound horse and care for it for the rest of its natural life. That would actually be doing something to help the horses, not hurt them. (hear THAT, Felix?)

The epidemic of abandoned horses across the country is due to what is being called a “perfect storm” of a slow economy, highfeed prices, & recent national outlawing of slaughterhouses. This is a mammoth crisis - 1000s of horses being left to waste away in fields & paddocks, or surrendered to over-crowded rescues.

Closing down a business where horses lead content & exceedingly reasonable existences will only ADD to this problem. A well-loved, cared-for horse with a job is a lucky horse, the very last to feel a recession.

sqgo

is this what a beard is?

Thinky Think

I concur!The entire body is just luscious,sexy...as for the faceit has to be triple black bagged.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

damn, Paterson has a great ass.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

Bloomberg has no compassion at all. Horses aren't building but beings that suffered under the harsh environment of NYC and kept in warehouses. Shame on Bloomberg who only has concern for his rich developers.

FJF

"I'd rather go blind than wear fur."

Guest

OMGs! THERE GOES MY LUNCH!

Rocknrope

Will the ad be like the movie Zoo? Then Dave will feel like what he's been doing to the state for months.

Kojak

Worst. Photoshop. Ever.

JenChungsBaby

Are you talking about his face on her body? Or are you referring to her left bicep, which looks like it was drawn in with charcoal?

nicemarmot

Yeah. I'd say you took the words right out of my mouth, but really I was speechless from horror.

Wza

Have the horses inside the park, not outside.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

the drivers don't want to have the horses in the park, they lobbied Guiliani who let the horses work outside the park till 3am in the morning. Guiliani made it worse for the horses and now they commute from horrible warehouses. time to end this cruel industry.

Mookie Wilson

I'm sorry, sir. Your suggestion is too logical and unfortunately manages to solve the problem.

It is therefore rejected outright in lieu of a proposal to construct a light rail system in the shape of horses.

Wza

lol

valeriob

Ohai! I'm here for the naked mole rat party.

JenChungsBaby

If you want to avoid a trip to the emergency room then first you have to remove their two front teeth. And use lots of KY.

JenChungsBaby

We're just waiting for PETA to make Paterson the face of their next campaign.

Is their next campaign to save naked mole rats? Then Paterson's face would be perfect.