A City Council committee voted to kill “Ryder’s Law,” a bill introduced by outgoing Councilman Bob Holden that sought to ban Central Park horse carriages in New York City. The bill was defeated in the Health Committee with only one vote in favor, reflecting the contentious nature of the issue. Holden forced the vote using a procedural rule after months of resistance from Council leadership, but the committee chair rejected his request for a full hearing. The debate over the horse carriage industry has been ongoing for years, with animal rights activists citing concerns about horse welfare, while the Transport Workers Union defends the jobs of carriage drivers and advocates for safer conditions.

Despite the bill’s defeat, the fight over the horse carriage ban is expected to continue. Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani supports banning the industry but seeks dialogue with the union to find job alternatives for drivers, possibly through electric carriages. The next City Council will likely need to introduce new legislation to pursue a ban. Meanwhile, tensions remain high, with the union filing lawsuits against animal advocacy groups and accusing them of spreading false claims to push for the ban, highlighting the deep divisions surrounding the issue.