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4h ago

NYC Council Panel Defeats Ryder’s Law, Stalling Horse-Carriage Ban

The committee’s vote blocks the measure from reaching the full Council this term, signaling a fight likely to resume in the next session.

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A city councilmember long opposed to the carriage horse trade is making one last attempt to ban the practice.
Horses and their drivers are seen pulling carriages through vehicle-clogged Midtown Manhattan traffic early Tuesday, July 18, 2023. New York temperatures are expected to reach over 100º degrees in the afternoon. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can result in horses suffering heat stress, heatstroke and problems such as dehydration, muscle spasms and colic.(Photo by: Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Daily News)

Overview

  • The Health Committee rejected the bill with one vote in favor, four against and two abstentions, leaving the proposal off the Council’s agenda for the remainder of the term.
  • Sponsor Bob Holden forced the proceeding by invoking a little-used rule to compel action after months of inaction, then threatened legal action when his request for a full hearing was denied.
  • Ryder’s Law sought to end new licenses and replace horse-drawn carriages with electric alternatives by June 2026, citing animal welfare and public safety concerns.
  • Mayor Eric Adams publicly supported a ban and tightened industry oversight by executive order, while the Transport Workers Union opposed the measure, warning of job losses and urging a stable inside Central Park.
  • Animal-rights groups and the Central Park Conservancy backed ending the industry, and the TWU recently sued NYCLASS over alleged misinformation as both camps prepare for renewed efforts next term.