In the identify of animal protection, New York may possibly be deprived of its famed horse-drawn carriages

Like yellow cabs, the Statue of Liberty, or Broadway, horse-drawn carriages are New York Town clichés. But these sightseeing walks close to Central Park are becoming specific by elected officials and animal advocates who would favor electric carts.

“Manhattan is possibly the worst place in the entire world to work a horse, targeted visitors, sound, air pollution and heat”protests Robert Holden, a 71-calendar year-previous city councilor in New York and author of a text contacting for the substitute of horse-drawn carriages with electric powered motor vehicles by June 2024.

For a long time, advocates of the animal trigger – a lot more and additional in the United States – have preferred to place an end to this tourist attraction, which has existed given that the 19th century all over the environmentally friendly lung of Manhattan. New York now has 130 coachmen who share 68 licenses and all around 200 horses fixed in the municipal stables.

Opponents of horse-drawn carriages rallied in early August, most notably some activists from the Peta association, when a horse suddenly collapsed a person heatwave afternoon on Manhattan’s enormous 9th avenue, lined with skyscrapers. of heaven.

A online video on social media reveals the animal on the floor as indignant motorists advised him to get up.

A micro-demonstration against horse-drawn carriages then brought together 15 individuals. American product Bella Hadid judged these “barbaric” walks on Instagram. The trend star urged the New York Metropolis Council to approve Mr. Holden’s bill.

For animal advocates, New York horses reside in precarious ailments, put up with from malnutrition and dehydration, are terrified of motor vehicle targeted traffic and function difficult.

“They are taken care of like devices and they are not devices”thunders Edita Birnkrant, director of an animal rights group, NYCLASS, who thinks horse-drawn carriages have practically nothing to do with “A fashionable New York”.

On the contrary, the operators guarantee that these horses are perfectly cared for and closely monitored by the metropolis overall health authorities. In point, it is forbidden to function extra than 9 hours a day, at additional than 32 degrees in summer months and a lot less than 7 levels in winter.

Horses “I am delighted and healthy. You are not able to power a 680 kg animal to do what it won’t want to do “insists Christina Hansen, a coachman in New York for 10 years and whose horse Oreo is entitled to her 5-7 days once-a-year “holiday” on the farm.

“Immoral” or “cultural”?

And what would New York be with out its horse-drawn carriages, asks this 42-year-previous lady: “You see us in motion pictures and on Tv. We are as photogenic as the Empire State Developing and the Statue of Liberty “.

In Central Park, exactly where a 45-moment walk continue to expenses $ 160, in just one of the most expensive towns in the entire world, tourists are divided.

“Completely immoral!”exclaims the British Cailey Tyler, who is in favor of the ban, as nicely as Maria Luzynska, a Polish female to see horses for “Less than the warmth” gives New York “Worst perception”.

On the opposite, he sees Argentina’s Marina Perry “A cultural dimension that has lasted for generations”.

Coachwoman Christina Hansen clarifies that the market is now “Dominated by immigrants” from about twenty international locations such as Italy, Ireland, Turkey, Brazil and Mexico.

A carriage driver can get paid $ 100,000 a yr, he states.

Reverse, supporters of Mr. Holden’s bill are hoping for a vote in October.

But absolutely nothing is much less selected, as the coachmen are backed by the powerful municipal transportation union and Ms. Hansen thinks no just one in New York is in the temper for a journey. “With electrical golfing cart”.

(AFP)

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