Schulman questions on curriculum development and safety protocol updates
Schulman asks about curriculum development experts, protocol updates after the fatal incident, and whether the course covers the prohibition on leaving horses unattended. Schiff confirms it does and describes outreach efforts.
They are.
It is also, it is very clear in the administrative code as well that the drivers are required, are prohibited from leaving the horse unattended.
It is covered in our course.
How is the curriculum for the course developed and what experts are consulted on its development?
The course was developed by our equine veterinarians in consultation with many others, with, for example, the ASPCA,
NYPD, and our agency colleagues, because it covers and addresses the regulations that live in many other agencies'codes.
Is DOHMH considering any updates to its protocols to prevent future incidents?
The laws, the regulations, and the protocols are all designed to prohibit the incidents.
We conduct outreach and education.
We have delivered notices to the stables for posting to remind drivers that they cannot leave the horse unattended.
I would add to that as well.
I think that the administration is certainly open to changes we can make, marginal changes we can make around the edges to try and reform this industry in the short term.
But the long-term question, I think, is what is paramount right now and winding down the industry.
Ultimately, I think that if there's, in general, in the work that we do at DCDP,
If there's business activity that is causing harm, we can't necessarily think first of, like, how do we facilitate the activity continuing.
I think our first question, the hard question the government has to ask itself is how do we stop the harm?
And so I think that's part of the, that's how we want to approach this, with the guiding principles, of course, of ensuring that worker outcomes are protected, that the animal outcomes are protected as well.
Thank you.