Nicole Rivard (Friends of Animals) testifies supporting ban with buyout fund proposal
Nicole Rivard of Friends of Animals testifies supporting the ban, proposes adding language for a fund to buy out horses from willing owners, and questions how the industry can claim retirement is safe now but a death sentence if the bill passes.
Hi, I'm Nicole Rovard.
It's an honor to be here on behalf of Friends of Animals.
We were founded in New York in 1957.
You can stop the carriage horse industry from claiming any more lives, and we urge you to pass 943 quickly.
But we realize you can't legislate that the owners will willingly relinquish their horses, so we would also support adding language that creates a fund to enable the city to facilitate
a buyout of the horses from the owners who want to sell and help with placement fees at the sanctuaries who need them, which of course Friends of Animals would contribute to, and we know other groups would as well.
We can even accommodate five or six of the carriage horses at our own sanctuary.
Because of Intro 943, the industry is trying to get a leg up, pun intended.
It's pivoted from talking only about so-called safety measures like posts to spinning a narrative that all the horses are going to slaughter if this bill becomes law.
But how come when they retire their own horses now from service, that's not a death sentence?
How can both things be true?
Being deadly is not the only reason the trade needs to be banned.
It also robs equines of their basic needs.
People have talked about turnout for roaming free and socialization.
But there is actual research that shows these things lower stress-related behaviors.
And not only does the carriage horse industry take away the very...
things these animals need to be calm, then they have to pull carriages, along with unassuming tourists, into the unpredictable New York City environment.
As an equestrian of 42 years, I know firsthand that even in the safest, calmest environments, horses may still freeze,
bolt or react defensively to sudden changes.
The industry made drivers undergo safety training after the recent tragedy.
They wanted the public and tourists to feel safer, but they aren't, and neither are the horses.
Thank you all for your testimony.
The next panel is Fiki Ryder.
Marilyn Galfin, Kathleen Rabb, Nicolette Hoffman, Fiorella Valdivia, Marley,
Del Mar Leon, Diane Pretuzelli.
Y'all may begin when you're ready.
Just identify yourself for the record.