New York City Officially Votes to Ban 'Historic' Horse-Drawn Carriages on City Streets
Democrat Mayor Zohran Mamdani Expressed His Support for the Ban
TL;DR
- New York City Council voted to ban horse-drawn carriages from city streets and Central Park by June 2028.
- The decision ends a historic tourist attraction and industry in the park.
- 40 of 51 council members supported the bill, which is backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
- The ban gained support after the death of an 18-year-old tourist, Romanch Mahajan, who was thrown from a carriage.
- The bill requires a workforce transition plan and consideration for compensating carriage operators and assisting with horse disposition.
- Horses from the carriage industry cannot be slaughtered.
- Opponents, including President Donald Trump, criticized the ban as the loss of a tradition.
- The Transport Workers Union threatened legal action, calling the ban a deprivation of property rights.
- Animal welfare groups like PETA welcomed the ban, citing the harsh conditions for horses.
- City Council Speaker Julie Menin highlighted the vote as a commitment to animal welfare, public safety, and worker protection.