A coalition of animal-rights activists, local politicians, and advocates rallied outside New York City Hall demanding the City Council hold a hearing and pass Ryder’s Law, which aims to permanently end the horse-drawn carriage industry in NYC. The rally, supported by Council Members Robert Holden, Frank Morano, and Chris Marte, followed the recent death of a carriage horse named Lady and highlighted concerns about animal suffering and public safety. The Central Park Conservancy also broke its neutrality to support the bill, emphasizing the urgency to prevent further tragedies involving carriage horses.

Opponents, led by the Transport Workers Union Local 100 representing carriage drivers, argue that shutting down the industry would cause job losses and harm the local economy, while maintaining that the horses are well cared for. Ryder’s Law is named after a carriage horse who collapsed on the job in 2022, symbolizing the ongoing animal welfare concerns driving the push to end this long-standing but controversial industry.