A viral video showing a carriage horse collapsing in the middle of the street in New York City and police hosing down the horse on Wednesday has outraged many. People who witnessed the 14-year-old horse named Ryder fall on West 45th Street and 9th Avenue took out their cellphones to film the terrifying moment. Animal rights groups protested outside City Hall on Thursday, and many celebrities took to Instagram to express their anger and help bring about change.
PETA posted the video on Instagram asking people to text 73822 to help them ban horse-drawn carriages in NYC.
Celebrities share what everyone can do to help
“Selling Sunset” stars Bre Tiesi and Heather Rae El Moussa both posted Instagram stories about the abused animal and asked their followers for help. So did Alicia Silverstone, Kendall Jenner and Joey King. Silverstone, who is known for being a vegan and animal lover, wrote her story: “These beautiful animals are abused and mistreated in NYC.” Jenner posted a now-expired story which read: “I’m getting sick. Disgusted stop it now” at the beginning of the story and at the end “I hope poor baby is okay.” King posted a link to a petition that people can sign quickly and easily. The petition had nearly 48,000 signatures as of early Friday night, just short of its goal of 50,000 signatures.
Alicia Silverstone – Instagram
Heather Rae El Moussa – Instagram
Heather Rae El Moussa – Instagram
Bre Tiesi – Instagram
The organization My Dream For Animals posted information about Ryder and what people can do to help while they plead for the horse’s immediate release at a shelter on their Instagram page.
My dream for animals – Instagram
Explain what happens behind the scenes
A photo of Ryder on the ground with an officer hosed him down was posted with the caption: “The horse named Ryder that collapsed in Hell’s Kitchen is currently at the West Side Livery Stables on West 38th Street in Manhattan and will reportedly not be euthanized or sold following the massive outrage that has ensued since the incident. Most carriage horses that collapse or are injured “disappear,” but due to the publicity of the incident, this horse has so far been spared. Please contact the office of City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams at 212-788-7210 and/or 718-206-2068 and request that this horse be released to a shelter immediately. If there isn’t enough public pressure, this horse will end up like the others. Then please go to vfar.org/horses to sign the petition calling for carriage horses to be banned in New York!”
Call to ban horse-drawn carriages in NYC
This incident reignited calls for the city to ban horse-drawn carriages entirely. Just a month ago, CBS News reported that a proposed law would ban horse-drawn carriages in the city next year. There are several New York City Council members who support the proposal to replace horse-drawn carriage rides with electric ones. “This is nothing new, and the technology has arrived. Let’s use it,” said Councilor Robert Holden, who authored the bill. Holden continued, “It’s long overdue. It should have been done 20 years ago.” Other councilors who support the legislation have expressed concern for horse welfare. Councilor Keith Powers said: “On both sides, sort of, the cruelty and treatment of animals that we often hear about on a very hot day like today. And also to continue this industry in a much more humane and modernized way.” Many of the carriage drivers said they would not stay in the city if live horses were no longer used, claiming that the horses were just as much a part of the city as anyone else.
Ryder is healing and doing well
Ryder was taken to a nearby horse stable for veterinary care, a police spokesman told CBS News. According to Pete Donohue of the Transport Workers Union Local 100, the vet diagnosed the horse with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, or EPM. While Ryder is being treated and currently doing well, PETA and other animal rights groups, along with a long list of celebrities, have wanted to ensure such an incident does not happen again.
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