Clara Bright testifies opposing ban, supports reform bill

Good afternoon, Chair and Honorable Members of the Committee.

Thank you for the opportunity to- Identify yourself first.

Oh, Clara Bright.

Thank you.

My name is Clara Bright, and I respectfully submit this testimony in opposition to Intro 943 and in support of Intro 937.

I respectfully oppose Intro 943 and support Intro 937 because the solution is not elimination, it's improvement.

A nation that forgets its past has no future, widely attributed to Winston Churchill.

That's it.

Since 1858, horse-drawn carriages have been part of Central Park's history.

As the Central Park Conservancy explains, Friedrich Law, Amstetten, and Calvert Vox designed the park's carriage drive specifically for scenic

scenic travel by horse-drawn carriage.

These horses are part of its original design and living heritage.

If there are concerns, let us solve them, not eliminate a tradition that has served New York City for nearly 107 years.

If welfare is the goal, continue strengthening oversight, improve infrastructure, install additional hitching posts, and pursue the development of modern stables in Central Park North.

Some argue these horses would be better off in sanctuaries.

However, relocation does not automatically guarantee a better life.

These horses have been bred and trained over generations to work alongside humans and receive individualized daily care, specialized nutrition, and professional farrier, and every four to five weeks they do need new shoes

and new trimming.

It's called hoofy cure.

Not every sanctuary has the resources to provide the same level of individualized daily care that many working carriage horses currently receive.

Motor vehicle crashes occur every day.

When these incidents occur, we investigate them.

We need you to summarize.

Yes, I have just two more paragraphs.

No, not two more paragraphs.

Nope.

Why is the standard different here?

Why these horses and why this industry?

Improvement comes through better standards, not bans.

The welfare of these horses deserves evidence-based decisions based on facts, not fictional narratives.

I'll leave you with one final question.

Is banning truly protecting animal welfare, or is improving their care the better path?

Okay, thank you.

Thank you for allowing me to speak.

And you can submit what you have, so.

Yes.

Who's next?

Go ahead.

My name's Frank Ricobono.

Good afternoon, Chair and members of the City Council.

So yeah, my name is Francesco Ricobono.

My family has proudly been a part of the New York City horse-drawn carriage industry since 1979.

47 years ago, my father came to America.

Wait, sir.

Were you, was you?

Your name called to come up?

I don't know.

I submitted my tickets.

No, your name was not called yet.

We're going by panel, so you'll have to wait.

I'm sorry.

Tommy Hughes.

Well, Tommy's not here.

Are you speaking on his behalf?

I can.

I submitted my ticket.

I was one of the first.

I understand that.

I understand that.

But we're working in panels now, so we didn't call your name yet.

So we can't have you testify right this second.

Because there's a method that we're using here.

So what?

No.

So who's?

Go ahead.