The Central Park Blog » Animal Abuse

New York Governor Demands Better Treatment for Central Park Carriage Horses

John Moore — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:48:41 +0000

Deluxe Accommodations

The New York State Governor has taken a stand against the local horse and carriage industry that puts our local pols to shame. Gov. David Paterson, taking on the 150-year-old tradition of horse-drawn carriage rides in Manhattan’s Central Park, says the horses need to be treated better or the popular tourist rides should be banned. His recent comment before an animal activist group, rare from a high-level official, drew praise from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Paterson seeks “more humane treatment of horses that have often suffered due to difficult work conditions,” said Paterson spokeswoman Marissa Shorenstein. “Horse carriages are important to New York’s overall tourism industry and to the fabric of New York City’s culture, however we must be certain to treat horses and all animals ethically.”

The romantic rides in ornate Hansom carriages have graced Central Park since the 19th century, drawing 800,000 customers a year. They have been featured in tourism ads and in countless movies and TV shows. But Paterson and animal rights groups say the horses’ stables are too small and too cold in winter and that the constant work isn’t humane. There are occasional crashes with automobiles, one of which left a horse dead last year.

Liam Neeson’s New Digs

John Moore — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 07:02:53 +0000

Liam Neeson declared on Jon Stewart’s show last week that he would be happy to move into one of the luxurious carriage horse stables in Hell’s Kitchen. Here’s a few photos of where he’d be moving to.

Pretty swank. As a supporter I’m sure Mr Neeson will be happy to have his picture taken at one of these lovely spots.

Really – who wouldn’t want to live here?

Liam Neeson Defends Horse-Drawn Carriage Industry

John Moore — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 02:32:17 +0000

Talk about disappointments – Liam Neeson, who has been a supporter of a great many humane efforts throughout the world, released a statement this week through the Irish Echo supporting the carriage horse industry. Referring to it as “iconic” and a “grand tradition” he also claimed he was another horse lover. Right. Well Mr. Neeson, as much as my respect for you as an actor remains unchanged, I do have to question whether you actually took the time to find out the facts before you made this statement, appealing to misguided sentiments; trying to pretend it’s 1889 instead of 2009. I believe that all of those people should have jobs as well, and since my grandmother and grandfather regaled me with tales of growing up in Kerry I would like to think I am sensitive to the fact that many of the drivers are Irish-American.

But, I wonder Mr. Neeson – is this the picture you were thinking of that is so iconic? Or do you imagine the horses trudging back to their tenements in Hell’s Kitchen as being part of the grand tradition? Have you taken the time to visit their stables? Or would availing yourself of the uncomfortable facts make you an “extrmemist”? How about a short quiz? How many horses have perished in traffic accidents in the last 20 years? How many is too many? How much shorter is a carriage horse’s life than a police mount?

How many hours a week do they work? Or – maybe you saw them out working the past few weeks in snow storms and sub-zero wind chills – does the sight of a horse trudging behind a bus, inhaling the exhaust make you wax poetic? Did you know that New York has the highest carriage-horse accident rate in the country, a fact that came to light after the death of Smoothie on Sept. 14, 2007?

I did not grow up with horses, I grew in the suburbs, so it was my grandmother’s stories of growing up on a farm in Ireland that informed my conscience towards animals. There is nothing about the existence of these animals that is, in fact, picturesque or traditional. They have no pastures to walk in, no life besides the joyless sounds of traffic, the blare of horns, the constant cacophony of New York streets. Lawn jockeys were once iconic, slavery once considered a vital component of the country’s economy. In fact, according to my grandmother, Irish immigrants were once treated with a little bit less than respect in this city. But I guess, at that time, it was just considered another grand tradition, eh Mr. Neeson?

Animal Advocates Protest Against Carriage-Horse Industry In Central Park

John Moore — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:41:36 +0000

Animal rights activists braved frigid weather and gathered at Central Park South Thursday, Jan. 1st to protest the treatment of carriage horses. The protest against horse-drawn carriage rides occurred as the City Council gets ready to consider a ban on the controversial tourist attraction.”You can’t have horse-drawn carriages in New York City without the public safety issues and the inherent animal cruelty issues,” said Edita Birnkrant, a spokeswoman for Friends of Animals.

Horse Drawn Carriage in the Snow

She pointed out that horses went to work in a snowstorm last month, and one slipped on an icy street.

Animal welfare advocates rallied in the frigid weather, shouting, “Shame on you!” at the crowd of tourists lined up for rides. The City Council is set to debate a bill later this month that would shut down the industry.

Carriage Horses Forced To Work In Snowstorm

John Moore — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 19:31:19 +0000

Yesterday morning, at the height of the winter snowstorm, horse were forced to work pulling carriages along dangerously icy streets. This in complete violation of the law. When called at 10:00 AM the ASPCA insisted that the horses were not working. Donny Moss, the producer and director of Blinders: the Truth Behind the Tradition, was on Central Park South taking video. The ASPCA seems to be woefully out of touch.

More interesting videos: They show consistent overcharging – particularly now that it is the holiday season. The going rate is $34 for 20 minutes. There is no sales tax.Yet the drivers ask for a tax from unsuspecting tourists. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSun_1Ly6ro&feature=channel

As a warning this second video includes offensive language – so beware. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbZR4FZZQRM&feature=channel

The Shoe Has Landed, Quinn Supports Extending Term Limits

John Moore — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 00:01:48 +0000

Spontaneous Demonstraions of Support Scheduled Throughout the Week.
We are relieved to report that Council member Quinn has returned from that dark Gethsemane of the soul to announce that she is indeed in favor of extending term limits. Quite a startling development. Really. We had no idea.

It would be only the most cynical of observers that would think that this reversal from her avowed position of less than one year ago was in fact a fait accompli; an action motivated by personal ambition and political self interest.

Just as her endorsement of the carriage horse industry can only be a position based on careful consideration of the facts and a commitment to the safety of New Yorkers as well as the humane treatment of animals.

Bravo.

Benefit For The Coalition To Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages

John Moore — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:36:00 +0000

After the initial fund raiser was cancelled due to threats from the carriage horse industry The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages will be hosting its second fund-raising party at Mantra986.

We are currently mired in a political season that seems to be increasingly consumed by looming economic disasters and the cringe inducing fumblings of incoherent politicians. This benefit offers everyone a direct opportunity to support a very worthy cause that will not only save horses from the abuses they now suffer, but return a level of credibility to our city. Horse-drawn carriages have been banned in major cities all over the world, including that bastion of liberal democracy, Beijing, China. It is time to make this archaic practice a part of New York’s colorful past, not a feature of its embarrassing present.

And besides contributing to a very worthy cause, you get to hang out with some very cool people.

Guests will include:
Fiona Walsh- Irish comic, writer and animal activist, our host for the evening. Ms. Walsh is currently in an off-Broadway show “Great White American Teeth” which, as part of 1st Irish 2008 Festival in New York, is playing at Manhattan Theatre Source on MacDougal Street through September.

Councilmember Tony Avella- Mayoral candidate and New York City Councilmember from Queens. Mr. Avella is the sponsor of the landmark legislation to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City.

Donny Moss – independent film maker of “Blinders: the Truth Behind the Tradition,” an award-winning documentary about the plight of NYC carriage horses. It has enjoyed screenings all over the country and in Canada. Mr. Moss will speak about making this film.

Joy Askew – Singer/songwriter, exceptional vocalist and instrumentalist. Ms. Askew is also a tireless animal activist. Her latest CD, “The Pirate of Eel Pie” on Red Parlor Records (2008), is a soulful and lyrical celebration of commitment – now and in an earlier inspired era.

Nellie McKay- Singer/songwriter – Ms. McKay’s work has been described as smart, quirky, unpredictable, distinctly inspired, highly original and genre crossing. She has released three CDs to critical acclaim including 2007′s “Obligatory Villagers” on the Hungry Mouse label. She is an inspired animal rights activist.

Ann Design – is a co producer of the comedy show “Sundays at Seven” and has performed all over New York City, San Francisco and Galway. She has been seen on many commercials and most recently on “This American Life” on Showtime.

Liam McEneaney – has been seen on Comedy Central and VH1, has been on the NY Post’s list of “50 Best Comedians on the Face of the Earth,” and called a “stand-out stand-up worth watching” by Backstage Magazine. He has toured all over the US, Canada and Europe.

The party will feature an array of vegan hors d’oeuvres from Blossom, Candle 79, Caravan of Dreams, Franchia, Kates Joint, Mantra 986, Pongol, Streit’s Bakery, VP2, VSpot, Wendy Berkovits Vegan Chef, Whole Earth Bakery and Zen Palate — a cash bar, and a silent auction of appealing and interesting items to be sold to the highest bidder. Click here to purchase tickets

“Blinders” Screened On The Eastside

John Moore — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:36:04 +0000

Last night I attended a screening of “Blinders”, a documentary that shows in graphic detail the horrendous abuse suffered by the horses that are exploited by the carriage horse industry in New York. Brilliantly produced by Donny Moss, who also wrote and directed the film, the movie systematically refutes every defense of this cruel and archaic industry. The screening was followed by a spirited panel discussion which explicated some of the seamier political aspects of the debate and what concerned citizens can do to eradicate this embarrassment to our city, and our beautiful Central Park, once and for all.

While there were many highlights of the evening, Councilmember Tony Avella speaking of how we can combat the the brutal tactics of the carriage horse owners and Donny Moss telling passionately of his efforts to reach the public with the information exposing the abuse, the most amusing one was when a gnome-like thug, claiming to represent some un-named outlet of “da media” started ranting and had to be escorted away by security. The absurdity of his barely understandable gibbering was accompanied by the chilling realization that the industry had hired such a person to disrupt the proceedings. The fact that Mayor Bloomberg and Councilmember Quinn would align themselves with such people is confusing at best.

Anti Carriage Horse Fundraiser Cancelled Due To Threats

John Moore — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 04:22:21 +0000

So – after the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages scheduled a fundraiser at O’Flaherty’s Pub, unidentified members of the carriage trade called to tell the manager they’d bust his place up if he didn’t cancel.

O’Flaherty’s backed down, but Bayside Democratic Council Mmber Tony Avella will not. He defiantly proclaimed that “this industry is going to be put out to pasture” if he has anything to say about it.
To put an end to the “inhumane treatment and risk of serious injury or death” to both horses and people, Avella’s pending bill would “repeal all provisions within the administrative code that authorize the operation of horse-drawn carriages within New York City,” according to his website.
Read more at » Runnin’ Scared « a Voice news blog

Apparently spreading misinformation about the tortured conditions these animals live in isn’t enough, it is now important for the industry to resort to human intimidation.

Documentary Exposing Carriage Horse Carnage

John Moore — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 02:39:43 +0000

BLINDERS, a 50 min documentary about the growing movement to ban the infamous NYC carriage horses, will be screened publicly in Manhattan for the first time on Sept. 18th and 22nd. BLINDERS has been screened at 10 film festivals and won the 2008 award for Best Film in the Point of View Category at the International Wildlife Film Festival.

September 18, 7:30 p.m.
Visionfest Film Festival
Tribeca Cinemas
Tickets – $11

Sept. 22, 7:00 p.m.
AMC THEATER
3rd Ave and 71st St
Please join Mary & Peter Max, Ally Sheedy, Kristen Johnson and Nellie McKay for a screening of BLINDERS to benefit the League of Humane Voters. Panel discussion will follow screening. You can find ticket info at League of Humane Voters

Click here to watch the movie trailer
To read more about the movie and to see the press coverage, please visit: http://www.blindersthemovie.com/