Pauline Burns (NY State Horse Council) testifies remotely, abstains on bill

You may begin.

Good evening.

This is Pauline Burns.

Can you hear me okay?

Yes.

Very good.

I want to thank you for the opportunity to give some testimony.

I'm president of the New York State Horse Council and would like to address the esteemed members of the New York City Council Health Committee.

The New York Horse Council was founded in 1966

as an umbrella organization for the equine community residing in New York State.

Our mission is to create a strong unified voice for all horse interests toward the preservation of a future for horses in New York State.

The New York State Horse Council Board of Directors and its membership is composed of a diverse group of industry professionals

making our organization uniquely qualified to assist in all matters pertaining to horses in New York State.

At this time, the New York State Horse Council is abstaining from a direct position on Introduction 943,

a bill to amend the Administrative Code of the City of New York in relation to prohibiting the operation of horse-drawn cabs.

We do recommend consideration of introduction 937.

New York State Horse Council would like clarification on the intent of language contained in New York City Introduction 943 pertaining to the disposition of licensed horses.

We agree horses should not be sold for slaughter, and it is in fact illegal in New York State per Agriculture and Markets Law Section 385.

However, we also recognize that the carriage horses in New York City are privately owned, and as such, their owners are responsible for their humane treatment and disposition.

We recognize New York City has evolved since the inception of the carriage industry.

Time expired.

If you could just summarize the end part, because we...

This is the end paragraph.

We recognize New York City has evolved since the inception of the carriage industry and that Central Park is now host to millions of tourists and residents.

We all have a vision for the use of the park.

Your supportive enforcement of current regulations pertaining to suspensions and revocations of licenses within the New York City carriage industry will improve the safety of the horses, drivers, passengers, and general public.

We welcome the opportunity for thoughtful discussion so we can work together to find fair and humane paths forward.

For the city, the residents, the visitors, the carriage industry, and the horses.

We also recognize that if this- We have to, we can't, we can't, we have to move on.

So just tell you a couple of sentences and we have to move on.

This is the end.

We also recognize that there is a proposed phase-out period that will require responsible transition, and we would welcome an opportunity.

I also have a list of recommendations that are set forth with the testimony, but thank you.

Okay, thank you very much.

Next is Nora Marino.