On the day of the area's most auspicious equestrian occasion, Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside, will be joining a group of animal rights activists in protest of horse pulled carriages.
Avella has from city streets, and has created legislation to rid the city of them.
“The most recent accident only yesterday where a horse ended up with a deep gash on its head just proves that it is simply no longer appropriate or safe for a horse drawn carriage to operate in some of the most congested, and often perilous traffic in the world," said Avella, adding, "I am proud to stand with Horses Without Carriages International and proclaim that this industry needs to be put out to pasture immediately!”
The Vice President of the Horse and Carriage Association of NY, Eva Hughes, who , commented on a in response to Avella's push to shutter her industry. "Avella never quails at repeating outrageous and defamatory accusations designed to malign and vilify the good people of this industry, and perpetuate the lie that the horses are abused," Hughs said, adding, "Avella would do well to pay attention to those 'great challenges that deserve our undivided attention', rather than get on camera and in print at every opportunity to put 200 working families - and their horses - out of their jobs and livelihoods."
Protesters will gather at 11a.m. today, June 9, at Grand Army Plaza, 5th Avenue and 59th Street in Manhattan.
