N.Y.C. Horse-Drawn Carriage Crash Sparks Renewed Calls for Ban as 2 Operators Are Hospitalized

A horse-drawn carriage collision is resurrecting a call to ban the transportation in N.Y.C.

On Monday, May 26, two horse-drawn carriages rammed into each other in front of the 60th Street & East Drive marker in Central Park in New York City, hospitalizing the two carriage operators.

According to a statement obtained by PEOPLE from the New York Police Department, one of the horses was startled and ran westbound towards 5th Avenue. The second horse was also startled and ran towards the northbound end of 60th Street.

Both carriage operators “sustained minor injuries in an attempt to regain control of the horses,” per the statement. “EMS transported both individuals to area hospitals.”

There are no reports on whether there were passengers in the carriages at the time of the incident. According to ABC News, the horses did not suffer any severe injuries and were back to work on the south end of Central Park later that evening.

Though many city visitors enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides in N.Y.C., animal advocacy groups such as NYCLASS are citing this incident to support a citywide ban on horse-drawn carriage rides.

“Are New York City Council Members, Speaker Adams, Mayor Eric Adams, and TWU President John Sameulsen waiting for New Yorkers and tourists to be killed before Ryder’s Law is passed, finally shutting down these cruel and unsafe horse-drawn carriages? In the past week alone, three runaway horse incidents have resulted in injuries and near-fatalities. Horses are naturally skittish animals that can easily become frightened and bolt. Allowing horse-drawn carriages to continue operating in Midtown is government malpractice, putting everyone at risk. Ryder’s Law Intro 967 would not only end an abusive and reckless industry – currently facing prosecution by the Manhattan DA for criminal animal cruelty – but also aligns with the wishes of the majority of polled New Yorkers (71%) who want it banned. This law also includes provisions to place all the horses in loving sanctuary homes where they can live freely and safely with other horses, as they are meant to,” Edita Birnkrant, executive director of NYCLASS, shared in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

Animal Legal Defense Fund, an organization that aims to enforce stronger anti-cruelty laws and the humane treatment of animals, has also led calls to end the use of horses in tourism work.

In 2022, the organization petitioned to ban horse-drawn carriages in N.Y.C. after an elderly horse named Ryder collapsed in the street due to the overwhelming summer heat. An unnerving video of the incident quickly circulated, leading the Animal League Defense Fund to send a petition and letter to the New York City Council.

“Tragic outcomes for horses haunt New York City’s history, as well as other cities across the country,” read the letter. “Horses, carriage passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and others are put at risk by this cruel and reckless industry. We say: No more.”

Along with hundreds of others, the petition was also signed by notable names including  Billie Eilish, her brother Finneas, Kaley Cuoco, Noah Cyrus, Joan Jett, Kesha, Joaquin Phoenix, Sarah Silverman, Christian Siriano, Hilary Swank, Justin Theroux, and Marisa Tomei.

Just two months after his collapse, Ryder died. He was roughly 30 years old.

“We are devastated to learn that Ryder has died. His horrific collapse, after years of abuse, inspired tens of thousands of people from across the globe to stand up to carriage horse industry cruelty,” said Edita Birnkrant, executive director of New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets, at the time.