NYC Group Speaks Out After Carriage Horse Kills One In Austria

Laura Eldridge, Executive Director of NYC CLASS, says in an accident last week, "a French tourist in Salzburg, Austria was killed by a bolting carriage horse. According to the Austrian Times the 16 year-old horse was startled and galloped over the woman, who was standing on the sidewalk. She died of a head injury on her way to the hospital." This, of course, raises concerns once again over the carriage horse industry still kicking in New York.

In an email, Eldridge said: "Tragic news like this reminds us that the massive creatures used in the carriage industry are unpredictable and can turn into a public threat when they are spooked by the loud noises or sudden movements that are so common in an urban setting. When startled, horses often react by running and can easily cause serious damage and injury to their passengers, pedestrians and passing motorists." (In May, a carriage horse was spooked and crashed into a cab in Central Park.) She also notes that last week's electrical fire at Chateau Stables located on West 48th Street could have also ended in tragedy (luckily, it did not)—current NYC law doesn't require stables to have sprinkler systems.

Earlier this year some new rules were put into place regarding the industry, but animal rights activists want the industry banned.

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By Jen Carlson in News on August 16, 2010 2:59 PM

Comments [rss]

DellaGirl

Yet another falsehood reported...Chateau Stables DOES have fire sprinklers.

Juliec - your argument is ridiculous. How do you know they are "miserable"? Just because YOU are miserable in the city? Here's a thought for you - ban all bikes in NYC! Riders in NYC are thoughtless, careless, and dangerous. They weave in and out of traffic, run red lights, take corners without regard to who may be crossing the street. They litter the sidewalks with their bikes, chained to anything that can't easily be walked away with. Bike riders are sweaty, stinky, and self absorbed. I have observed many operating their bikes with their ear buds in place, oblivious to everything around them. If I bothered to do the research, I am sure I would discover that more people are killed/injured in bike accidents than carriage accidents the world over!

Gaelic47

Out fuckin standing pun! Well done.

pretender

you can see the animals are miserable. I walked by them last week and all the horses had long faces

JenChungsBaby

Yeah, and some kid in Brazil died last month from choking on a hot dog. Therefore we should ban all hot dog vendors from NY. jeez.

Devonshire

Again, a stupid comment. Are you a kid, or just acting like one?

Lando

This, of course, raises concerns once again over the carriage horse industry still kicking in New York.

Only if you're trying to fill a post quota.

JMH

This reminds me of the disproportionate uproar after the helicopter collision over the Hudson River last year. Hundreds of New Yorkers are killed in road collisions every year and nobody bats an eye, but one incident involving a (helicopter or horse) and ZOMG WE NEED STRICTER REGULATIONS!!!!!!!11111

Devonshire

That is just childish "non-logic." Time for this dangerous and outdated industry to go. Have you been following the horrific string of deadly accidents, nationally and internationally, involving carriages in 2010? Do you think it's a good idea have to drums, skateboarders, and all manner of self-absorbed tourists wandering near these large and nervous animals in the park? Not to mention their working conditions alongside fire engines, ambulances, taxis, and buses?

Boogie Down

Carlson + Felix 4 eva!

youngpro

maybe we can carve that into a tree in central park? fuck it, makes it several trees. then we'll brand it on all the horses there, too.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

I wish :D

Angelheaded Hipster

where would these horses be if they weren't in central park? does anyone really know?

juliec

That's like asking a lifer where he would go if he could get out of prison. It doesn't matter; he's out of prison.

.

I rode my bike right next to them this past Friday during a lunch break. Anyone who's spent 10 seconds really looking at another sentient being can see clearly that these animals are fucking miserable. I know that jobs are at stake, but this industry literally rides on the backs of the less-fortunate.

.

I've never been an "animal rights activist" and do believe we have an ethical obligation to put humans first. But ask yourself: who is benefiting from this industry? How much do they make? How much does it cost? Any reasonable person will quickly discover that this sect is in dire need of a washout.