Carriage Horse Industry at Crossroads
Councilman Avella Offers Resolution To City Council HIDDEN CAMERA VIDEO: Carriage Horse Industry At Crossroads NEW YORK (CBS) ¯ If Queens Councilman Tony Avella has his way, New York City public schools will include lessons on animal rights into their curricula. Councilman Avella proposed a resolution to force the Board of Education to comply with state law requiring schools to teach about animal rights, the New York Sun reported Monday. The City Council will debate the proposal. "The way we treat animals, our fellow neighbors, this is all part of being a member of today's modern society," Mr. Avella said, according to the Sun. "It's a benefit to the community and to the city to understand each other's needs and, in this case, those of animals." Councilman Avella recently called for a ban on horse-drawn carriages in the city, surrounded by animal activists. "There have been more accidents, there have been more horses who have died or been put to sleep and the situation is only getting worse," said Councilman Avella. It was the la-*test*-('") shot in a war that's as old as the horse and carriages themselves. But after years of fighting to restrict this age-old industry, concerned animal rights activists are making a push to abolish it. "Every time a horse is killed, injured or beaten on New York City streets, PETA is inundated by calls from tourists and residents appalled that city officials still allow them to be on city streets," said Jannette Patterson. There are over 200 licensed carriage horses in the city, and the practice is heavily regulated by the city. Ian McKeever, who owns the Shamrock Stables, says the industry has an excellent safety record. He says the councilman, a mayoral candidate, is just looking for publicity."He doesn't know I go home every night and tell stories of my horses to my three kids." The proposal is also facing opposition by riders themselves. "I think the horse rides are really nice for New York City," said Ashley Troup. It's not clear how much of a future this proposal has. Mayor Bloomberg supports this industry, saying it's part of what defines the city, but Avella says he'll introduce his bill to ban horse-drawn carriages on Wednesday.
Councilman Avella Offers Resolution To City Council HIDDEN CAMERA VIDEO: Carriage Horse Industry At Crossroads NEW YORK (CBS) ¯ If Queens Councilman Tony Avella has his way, New York City public schools will include lessons on animal rights into their curricula. Councilman Avella proposed a resolution to force the Board of Education to comply with state law requiring schools to teach about animal rights, the New York Sun reported Monday. The City Council will debate the proposal. "The way we treat animals, our fellow neighbors, this is all part of being a member of today's modern society," Mr. Avella said, according to the Sun. "It's a benefit to the community and to the city to understand each other's needs and, in this case, those of animals." Councilman Avella recently called for a ban on horse-drawn carriages in the city, surrounded by animal activists. "There have been more accidents, there have been more horses who have died or been put to sleep and the situation is only getting worse," said Councilman Avella. It was the la-*test*-('") shot in a war that's as old as the horse and carriages themselves. But after years of fighting to restrict this age-old industry, concerned animal rights activists are making a push to abolish it. "Every time a horse is killed, injured or beaten on New York City streets, PETA is inundated by calls from tourists and residents appalled that city officials still allow them to be on city streets," said Jannette Patterson. There are over 200 licensed carriage horses in the city, and the practice is heavily regulated by the city. Ian McKeever, who owns the Shamrock Stables, says the industry has an excellent safety record. He says the councilman, a mayoral candidate, is just looking for publicity."He doesn't know I go home every night and tell stories of my horses to my three kids." The proposal is also facing opposition by riders themselves. "I think the horse rides are really nice for New York City," said Ashley Troup. It's not clear how much of a future this proposal has. Mayor Bloomberg supports this industry, saying it's part of what defines the city, but Avella says he'll introduce his bill to ban horse-drawn carriages on Wednesday.