Tell NYC: No More Dead Carriage Horses. Pass Ryder’s Law.

How many more horses have to collapse and die before New York City finally acts?

Just days ago, yet another carriage horse collapsed and died in Central Park, horrifying witnesses and reigniting a debate that should have been settled years ago. Across the country, people saw the disturbing reports and asked the same question: Why is this still happening?

Tragically, this is not an isolated incident. It is the latest in a long history of carriage horses suffering injuries, collapsing, bolting into traffic, and dying while being forced to work in one of the busiest and most stressful urban environments in the world.

This 16 year-old horse’s preventable suffering and death is a stark reminder that the status quo is failing. Despite years of debate, horses continue to bear the consequences of delayed action. New York City now faces a simple choice: continue defending an outdated industry or finally put an end to it.

Horses are sensitive, intelligent animals. They do not belong pulling heavy carriages through congested city streets, surrounded by traffic, noise, exhaust fumes, extreme weather, and constant stress. What may appear to be a charming tourist attraction often comes at a steep cost to the animals forced to do the work.

Nearly four years after another horse who was named Ryder collapsed on a Manhattan street and later died, New York City leaders are still failing to act. Ryder's Law was introduced to prevent exactly this kind of tragedy, yet the legislation has been delayed, blocked, and allowed to languish while horses continue to face the dangers of New York City's streets. 

The bill failed to make it out of committee for a full council vote—even though much of the NYC City Council, every major mayoral candidate in the last election, and the Central Park Conservancy supported it. Polling has found that 71% of NYC residents support ending horse-drawn carriages. This bill should be passed.

Named for Ryder, it would phase out horse-drawn carriages, retire horses to sanctuaries, and provide workers with a fair transition that includes stable jobs, benefits, and protections. 

While the city council delays, another carriage horse has now collapsed and died. How many more tragedies will it take before city leaders finally act?

This is not a choice between horses and workers. It is an opportunity to protect both.

Americans who care about animal welfare are watching. Another horse is dead. Another crowd has witnessed needless suffering. Another preventable tragedy has unfolded in plain sight. The question is no longer whether change is needed, but whether city leaders will act before another horse pays the price.

Sign the petition to tell the New York City Council: Pass Ryder's Law now. Retire carriage horses to sanctuaries where they can live in peace, and provide workers with the secure transition they deserve.

The petition to members of the New York City Council reads: Pass Ryder's Law to end New York City's horse-drawn carriage industry, retire carriage horses to accredited sanctuaries, and provide workers with a real transition plan that includes stable jobs, benefits, and protections. After the death of yet another carriage horse, it is clear that this outdated and inhumane industry must finally come to an end before more animals suffer and die.
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Source:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/nyregion/central-park-carriage-horse-dead.html

https://www.humaneworld.org/en/all-animals/nyc-carriage-horse-ban