The recent death of a tourist in a horse-carriage accident has reignited calls for a ban on the industry in New York City, but not all agree, with some readers arguing that such a move is not justified by the incident and could harm the horses.
The incident, which resulted in the death of a young man, has been described as a "freak accident" by some.
"By that logic, we should ban bicycles, cars and airplanes, which are many times more risky than a horse-carriage ride," wrote Ronald Meltzer of Manhattan. He added that the horses working in the industry are "totally fine" and that the practice is not animal cruelty.
Dianne Stillman of Brooklyn noted the industry's "astounding" safety record, suggesting that the outcry returning after the recent tourist death and the earlier death of a horse is not warranted. She questioned whether experts should be consulted before condemning the industry with "untrue charges."
Ryder's Law, an initiative to ban carriage horses, has been pushed by activists for years. However, Olga Humphrey of Manhattan pointed out that the law is named after Ryder, a horse who did not die from collapsing in the street but was later retired and euthanized months after being diagnosed with cancer. The horse's owner-driver was also acquitted of animal cruelty.
"It seems no one bothered to find out the facts," Humphrey wrote.
Carrie Daugherty, a carriage driver from Savannah, Georgia, shared her experience working with horses, calling them "family." She questioned the fate of these horses if their work opportunities disappear, suggesting they could face slaughter. Daugherty urged a deeper look into the situation and to speak with those who care for the horses daily before decisions are made.
Connie Ellison of Hobe Sound, Florida, echoed concerns about the horses' welfare if the industry is banned, stating that a "happily ever after" pasture scenario is unlikely and that slaughter is a possibility. She advised animal activists to conduct thorough research before rallying for the industry's end.
These discussions follow recent events that have intensified scrutiny on the carriage horse industry in New York City.