New York City reconsiders a classic attraction: are horse-drawn carriages abuse?

Key Points:

• New York City Council is set to ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park starting June 2028, citing animal welfare and public safety concerns, with support from Mayor Zohran Mamdani who promises a transition plan for affected workers.
• The ban follows incidents including the death of a tourist after a horse bolted and the death of a carriage horse from eating a toxic plant, as well as numerous horse-related accidents in the park over recent years.
• Carriage drivers, who have worked in the industry for years and earn $60,000-$70,000 annually, oppose the ban, disputing claims of mistreatment and expressing concern over their livelihoods and the future care of their horses.
• Animal rights groups and many New Yorkers support the ban, arguing that horses working long hours in a noisy urban environment suffer and that the tradition is outdated and harmful.
• The proposed legislation includes measures for job placement, training, and financial compensation for drivers, but unions representing the workers criticize the plan for lacking guarantees and sufficient funding for horse care post-ban.