Janet White (Philadelphia advocate) testifies supporting ban

Hi, my name is Janet White.

I am the founder and director of Carriage Horse Freedom, which is a animal advocacy organization in Philadelphia.

I'm here to strongly support the passage of Ramansh's law.

It's understandably, or rather it's unmistakably clear, especially in light of the recent tragedies, that the horse-drawn carriage, they just pose unacceptable risks to public safety and to animal welfare.

The sponsor of the bill, the ban horse carriage bill in Philadelphia, named Mark Squilla, he sent a statement to New York City Council members and Mayor Mamdani.

I'd just like to share that with you briefly.

What he said was,

Philadelphia's tried incremental welfare reforms over the years, but it became clear that neither public safety nor animal welfare could be fully protected without ending the practice altogether.

Although we never experienced tragedies of this scale New York City has,

We acted because the risks were unmistakable, and a full ban was the only way to prevent future harm to both people and horses.

We encourage you to pass our Mancha's Law, and I also encourage you, I think,

The majority of New Yorkers, the majority of reasonable, responsible people urge you to pass Ramansha's law without delay.

Thank you.

Thank you all for coming, and the panel is dismissed.

Thank you.

The next panel is Ahmed Subir, Jill Aramsky, Jeffrey, very beautiful handwriting, but I can't read it, Gomzuelo,

Olga Humphrey and Carolina Roberts.

I'll read them again.

Carolina Roberts, Olga Humphrey, Jeffrey Gonzuelo, Jill Ramski, and Ahmed Sabir.

Leo Adja.

Leo.

And again, when you start, just identify yourself so we can check it off.

Thank you.

You may begin when you're ready.

You can begin.

Whoever.

Oh, turn the button to begin.

Thank you.

Check if my name is there, Joseph, please.

Okay.

First, I want to offer my deepest sympathy to the Mahajan family.

When I was in college, I wanted to free the carriage horses.

I became a journalist and was obsessed with truth, facts, and context.

I learned to research everything.

My view of the carriage horses changed.

When I first heard about night class, I researched.

I wonder why they posted a picture of an emaciated horse claiming it was a New York City carriage horse when it was a starving horse in India.

I was appalled by their hatred of the, quote, fat tourists who the poor horses, quote, had to struggle to pull around.

Even night classes veterinarian consultant was a small animal vet.

Their entire history.

Why was anyone listening to them?

Their entire history continues to be littered with manipulating context and flat-out lying.

I have been greatly disappointed that many council members are not doing independent research on this issue.

They are using night class.

talking points instead.

They have called the conditions the horses work under abusive.

But here's the truth.

The horses work under protective laws the council established.

The rules about temperatures, hours, stall sizes, and more.

The horses are also monitored by the police and mounted patrol.

Ryder's Law.

Ryder did not die on the streets of New York, as Linda Rosenthal said.

He was humanely euthanized at his new home outside of the city when he was found to have cancer.

Ryder's owner was found not guilty of cruelty by a New York jury.

Why was it called Ryder's Law for so long?

Because the truth was not convenient for Nye class.

Now the false claims are that the carriage horses are a public safety hazard.

Carriage rides started over 150 years ago.

The recent death was the first of its kind.

So if my math is right, that means that century after century, the carriage horses have had a better safety record than the vehicles that they share the park roads with.

I am in the park all the time.

I'd rather step in front of a carriage horse than an e-bike.

Anytime.

A ban will create a horrible domino effect.

If you want to give a rare sanctuary spot to a carriage horse that already has a good home instead of a horse who is going to slaughter, you don't really care about horses at all.

And that's the truth.

Thank you.

Can the last person on the panel identify yourself just so that we have the right list?

No clapping, please.

Oh, she didn't sign up.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Not her, you.

What's your name?

Carolina.

Carolina.

Okay, we're going to start on this end and then continue on the panel.

Please start.

Yes.

Can you turn on the microphone?

Thank you.

It appears I'm speaking to a nearly empty room at this point after I waited all day.

The speaker and other council members that signed on to this bill apparently just have a fix in because they don't care to hear from many of us that had to speak and sign on to the bill before we spoke.

But I will read my testimony.

What happened to Ramange was a terrible tragedy that broke so many.

But it wasn't my fault, and it wasn't anyone here's fault.

It was a horrible accident, and though the first of its kind in history, already resulted in changes to further improve the safety of this industry.

An accident, like all the e-bike and car accidents every day.

To take the job, livelihood, and beloved animals from everyone in the entire industry doesn't give anyone justice.

It causes even greater heartbreak.

No one should be a voice for horses other than those of us who know them best.

I won't have time to debunk every claim made by the people against this industry, but as someone who reads beyond the headlines and actually understands horses, I can tell you with confidence there are

No systemic reoccurring issues within this industry and no abuse beyond the harassment carriage drivers receive from people who have dehumanized them because they misunderstand horses and have ideologies that shouldn't dictate legislation.

I see the faces of people who have taunted and obsessively stalked me for years in this room.

But because I have so much pride in what I do, and it means so much to me, I find the strength to put up with it, to do what I love.

I left the office world to pursue this career, because happiness is more important than money.

And I am a horse person.

My two horses are very bonded to me, and over the nine and a half years I have driven in this industry, I have taken great care of them and abided by the city's administrative code.

I have no plans to separate from my horses.

But this bill gives me no financial aid for their long-term care, while simultaneously stopping me from providing them with the work they enjoy that keeps them healthy.

I don't want a different job.

I chose this one, and it's my passion in life where I belong.

I've always called New York City my home, and it's what my horses call home.

And I find it very offensive that anyone would suggest we're no longer welcome here.

I ask the council to do the right thing and avoid the guilt of ruining families and horses'lives and oppose this awful bill, as every previous administration has done every time it's reintroduced.

Thank you.

And I expect to be back here for a hearing on Intro 937, which is the solution to protecting this iconic industry while ensuring its safety without...

Thank you.

Anyone else having to lose what means?

Thank you.

Thank you.

We have to keep it to two minutes because we have hundreds of people.

All right.

We have hundreds of people still signed up, so we have to give everyone ample time.

You may begin to identify yourself.

Thank you.