The end of horse-drawn carriages in Central Park? Agreement reached to ban their operation

New York City Mayor and City Council Speaker have reached an agreement on legislation to ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park. The proposal will be brought to a vote next week, and if approved, the ban will take effect by June 2028. The move comes after the death of an Indian tourist who fell from a carriage this summer, sparking controversy between animal rights activists and the drivers' union.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin have reached an agreement on legislation that would ban horse-drawn carriages in Central Park. The proposal will be brought to a vote in the City Council next week, and if approved, the ban will take effect by June 2028. This is a goal that animal rights activists have been fighting for more than 150 years. The issue returned to the agenda this summer after an 18-year-old Indian tourist was killed when he fell from a carriage he was riding in with his family. Mamdani expressed support for "the spirit of the bill" but noted he is not satisfied with the protections for workers. His spokesperson declined to confirm whether he would sign the law. The carriage drivers' union criticized the proposal, arguing it does not include significant financial assistance for workers, only a weak job transition program. In contrast, the organization New Yorkers for Clean Streets welcomed the long-awaited ban. The bill includes a clause requiring the humane transfer of horses, prohibiting their sale for slaughter or use in the carriage industry elsewhere.