Delmar Leon (Canine Rescue NYC) testifies with incident timeline

Thank you, Chairman and Council Members, for prioritizing this matter.

My name is Delmar Leon, founder of Canine Rescue NYC.

I believe the compounded numbers of accidents that have occurred over three decades on an ongoing basis only points to an industry who has been overlooked with little oversight while consistently showing neglect based on the numbers of accidents we have seen

for decades, which culminated into the tragedy that called for its suspension after the death of Ramond.

A precedent needs to be made.

Be sad with the death of Ramant, whom I take this opportunity to offer my condolences to the Mahajan's family.

This bill is not about removing the passion for riding your horse, as was heard by one panelist's testimony, but removing them from riding on the streets of New York City and Central Park.

We also heard earlier from their main veterinary, there is no standard policy in place to ensure their animal's well-being is being maintained.

Assessment of the horse health is left to be determined by the horse rider or owner, and the horse owner or rider also decides when to call the vet.

How are we ensuring the driver that horse that day will be looking out for the animal's welfare?

If it may mean no income for that day or week.

We also heard earlier how council members had yet to be called back to schedule a meeting and only did so after weeks, which allows time to correct and or cover up any deficiencies before the time comes for visit.

The horse carriage drivers mentioned horses are a creature of habits, yet there is a pattern of accidents showing that in 30 years, horses have yet to get used and accustomed to riding on the streets of New York City and Central Park.

1982, three horses collapse and die on the streets in July, including Malachi.

November 1986, riding horse taking off and crashing into building.

May 1988, a horse failing into manhole.

May 1990, a horse being fatally pinned between a bus and a car.

January 2006, a five-year-old gelding named Spotty spooks bolt into traffic and wraps himself over the top of a station wagon.

The horse breaks in leg and dies, becoming a major catalyst for organized campaigns to ban New York City horses.

April 2014, a carriage horse is pinned to the ground in an overturned carriage.

after being spooked by a bus.

Two years later, in January 2016, Spartacus spooks.

I would like to conclude.

It is time to ban carriage.

Horses out of the streets of New York City and Central Park.

This incident only demonstrates an industry that has been overlooked with a little oversight showing a pattern that has been overlooked.

Thank you.

To conclude, just one little thing.

Your time is up.

Thank you so much.

May I just finalize this last thing?

Go ahead.

I would like to conclude by stating that I'm in favor of Romance Riders Bill 1943, bringing attention to a similar matter happening within the animal shelter system and

NYC ACC, also left with no oversight and accountability, leaving an inhumane confinement, highly medicated, and ensure that they can cope with the inhumane shelter environment.

This couple of weeks alone, they have doubled up in killings.

Thank you so much.

Schedule oversight hearing on NYC ACC.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Next.