Dr. Gabriel Cook (equine surgeon) testifies opposing ban
Dr. Gabriel Cook, a board-certified equine surgeon providing medical care to carriage horses, testifies the horses are not abused or neglected, warns that displaced horses will end up in slaughterhouses, and calls the bill a death sentence for many horses.
My name is Gabriel Cook, and I'm a board-certified equine surgeon, and I provide medical care to many of the New York City carriage horses.
Four years ago, members of the industry reached out to me and asked if I'd be willing to offer more consistent medical care.
I agreed with the understanding that my examinations would be more critical in nature.
Complete physical examinations would always be performed and horses would be trotted during the examinations to ensure soundness.
If found unfit in any way, the horse would be temporarily suspended until healthy.
Oh, he is.
I also provide telehealth consultations when needed and made my tertiary referral.
hospital available to them 24 hours a day.
I made it clear that I would be an advocate for the horse and they accepted wholeheartedly.
I will not agree with the other panel that horses should not work and we can get into that later if you'd like.
Having been doing this for the past four years, let me tell you what I do know.
These horses are not abused.
They are not neglected.
They are not starved.
They are not overworked.
They are provided with proper stabling, clean stalls, good ventilation, and as much hay, grain, and water as they desire.
Stablemen attend to these horses 24 hours a day, a standard beyond what I am used to.
Let me tell you what I also know.
Despite the intention of the council's bill to guarantee the welfare of these horses, it is not possible.
There are already innumerable horses unsuccessfully seeking homes.
I work with sanctuaries.
I work with rescues.
They are underfunded.
They struggle.
And sometimes they overburden themselves with horses, and the horses don't get the proper feed there.
I am in the trenches.
I see these horses.
I do this seven days a week for the last 35 days.
And I will tell you this, they will, and when they do become displaced, they will end up in slaughterhouses.
I have seen it.
They will end up in auctions.
They will be euthanized because people don't want to starve these horses.
This is not okay, folks, and it's not right.
And finally,
Having worked in this industry for the past four years, I am a
an agreement that the industry has its challenges, and almost all of them related to failure in regulation and enforcement.
As you so kindly predicted, sir, that we'd be talking about regulation and enforcement.
Almost all of my frustration has involved this issue.
I've had frustrations resolving this issue.
It is extremely disappointing that no New York City agency or the New York City government has been willing to take control and responsibility.
I truly, truly believe that with the proper regulation, enforcement, collaboration, hear the word collaboration, and teamwork, this could be a robust, healthy, and safe industry.
To ban it now without making that attempt would be unjust.
I thank you all very much for your time, and I would be extremely eager to answer lots of questions.
Okay, thank you.
Who's next?
Angel?