A 15-year-old carriage horse named Lady collapsed and died on a Hell’s Kitchen street Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. at 51st Street and 11th Avenue, with witnesses describing the horse falling and shaking before dying. A necropsy is planned to determine the cause of death, with union representatives suggesting a sudden medical event like a heart attack or stroke, noting Lady had passed a physical exam in June. Police do not suspect any criminal activity.

The death has reignited debate over the use of horse-drawn carriages in New York City, with animal rights activists pushing for the passage of Ryder’s Law, legislation aimed at phasing out carriage horses in favor of electric alternatives. Advocates argue the industry subjects horses to systemic abuse and unsafe working conditions, while the carriage drivers’ union maintains that horses undergo annual veterinary checks and follow strict guidelines. The controversy follows a recent trial where a carriage handler was acquitted after a horse collapsed in 2022.