Deborah Thomas (animal advocate) testifies supporting ban
Deborah Thomas, a 20-year animal advocate, testifies that 19th century carriages don't belong in 21st century traffic, that no amount of hitching posts or training will stop spooking, and that it's cruel to force horses to work in extreme weather.
Thomas speaking in support of Intro 943.
I am one of the many animal-loving, humane New York City animal advocates who've been fighting for a carriage horse ban in this city for the past 20 years
because I feel that having 19th century horse-drawn carriages in 21st century New York City traffic is both inhumane to the horses and very dangerous to all of us.
Sadly, both were shown to be true when the horse Denise ate a poisonous plant and died in Central Park,
and 18-year-old tourist Romesh Mahajan was killed, and my heart and prayers go out to his family.
As stated earlier, New York City and Central Park have become busier and noisier in the 21st century.
Although horse carriages in the city were once a quaint and enjoyable tradition, present-day activities and sounds going on in New York City
can easily spook a horse and cause them to bolt and run at the drop of a hat, making it extremely dangerous and irresponsible to continue this industry any longer.
No amount of hitching posts in the park or carriage horse driver training sessions will ever stop this from happening.
I also feel that it's downright cruel to force an animal to pull a heavy carriage in the extreme heat and humidity or in the cold snow and ice that they're often expected to.
to work in, and it's questionable as to whether they're given sufficient water in the summer or blankets and shelter from the cold in the winter while they're pulling these carriages.
Therefore, for the sake of the horses and human beings alike, I respectfully urge the City Council to vote for and pass Intro 943, Romanche's Law, as soon as possible.
I also want to thank Speaker Menon and Chair Schulman for calling this hearing and all the members who have voted for it, as well as thank you for putting language in the bill
to help the carriage drivers transition to new jobs.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you all.
So now we're going to call a new panel.
Thank you very much, and thank you for waiting.
Maddie Johnson, Eve Usadi, I'm pronouncing it wrong, I'm sure.
Patrick Norton.
Christina Tabaka, something like that, Tabakin, Caroline Zonis, and Regina Clark.
Okay, so just state your name for the record and then you can testify.
Who's going first?
Go ahead.
Wait, we have to put the button on.
Eva, okay, go ahead.