April Lang (animal advocate) testifies supporting ban
April Lang, NYC resident and animal advocate, testifies that horses were necessary before the 20th century but no longer are, that regulations aren't followed, and that not all traditions deserve to continue.
Hi there, my name is April Lang and I'm a president of New York City and an animal advocate.
So this is just the facts.
Horses were a necessary mode of transportation prior to the 20th century.
They no longer are.
Prior to the 20th century, horses were not breathing in the exhaust from cars, dodging traffic, nor in danger of colliding with automobiles.
Horses do this quote-unquote work because they are forced to, as has always been the case, not out of choice.
In spite of what we think we know about horses, there is not one person who can say with absolute certainty that the horses are content pulling a 900 to 1500 pound carriage, which is then loaded with passengers,
whether that be on a temperate day or through the heat, cold, snow, and rain.
Note, regulations are not often followed, monitored, or enforced.
Due to a more highly evolved sense of smell, sight, and hearing, horses can and do get triggered by sight, sounds, and smells, which are imperceptible to humans, but which signal danger to them.
This means they can and do bolt unexpectedly, putting themselves, the driver, and any passengers or pedestrians in harm's way.
While carriage drivers...
need and deserve to work, like everyone, neither they nor anyone else can count on permanent job security.
Industries change, and as so as do consumer preferences.
All of us need to adapt to that reality.
If any visitors to New York end up missing the carriage rides, they'll get over it, because our great city has a plethora of things to see, activities to engage in, and opportunities to make lasting memories.
The horses, however, will not get over the wear and tear of the bodies of this industry and genders.
And those humans injured or killed when horses bolt or collide with cars or pedestrians will not soon get over their losses.
Not all traditions deserve to continue.
Traditions are created by people and can be changed by people.
And when a tradition harms an animal or a person, it must be ended.
The horse-drawn carriage industry in New York is one tradition that needs to be put out to pasture.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Okay, so thank you to this panel.
Really appreciate it.
Now I'm going to call up John D.
Leonardo and Sam Moon, I think it is.
Are they here?
Oh, okay.
Okay, go ahead.
Just state your name for the record.