Queens Council Member and long-time LOHV-NYC ally Tony Avella has announced that he is introducing legislation to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City."Horses don't belong on the streets of 21st century Manhattan, it's cruel and unfair. These magnificent animals deserve a natural life," said John Phillips, LOHV-NYC's executive director. "Bravo to Council Member Tony Avella for introducing legislation which would put an end to this industry."
Avella had this to say about the issue: "The time has come to ban horse-drawn cabs in the city of New York. The romanticized idea of enjoying a carriage horse ride through the streets of Manhattan can no longer justify the risk of serious injury or death to these animals or to the public at large. ... It is time to put the horse driven carriage industry out to pasture."
Council Member Tony Avella will be honored for his work on behalf of animals at LOHV-NYC's 6th anniversary gala on November 10th. Don't miss your chance to thank him for supporting this issue!
See also: amNew York article in today's paper on the vigil for Smoothie (the horse who was killed on September 14th)
Pictured above: LOHV-NYC's vice president, Lisa Virgona, with Council Member Tony Avella (D-Queens)