MANHATTAN (WABC) — The household of a teenage vacationer killed in Central Park made an emotional plea to ban horse carriage rides in New York Metropolis throughout a Council listening to on “Romanch’s Legislation” on Wednesday.
The invoice might decide the way forward for town’s horse-drawn carriage business. The laws would section out the long-lasting Central Park attraction following a sequence of great incidents, together with a deadly crash final month.
Supporters of the measure, often called “Romanch’s Legislation,” say the invoice is required to enhance public security after eight critical carriage-related incidents over the previous two years. The laws would cease the renewal of two-year licenses for town’s 68 horse-drawn carriages, successfully ending an business that has operated in New York for greater than 150 years.
The push for change gained momentum after 18-year-old vacationer Romanch Mahajan was killed final month when he was thrown from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park.
His aunt and uncle appeared in particular person to testify on the listening to whereas his mom and father joined through Zoom from India.
“I would like you to think about what it’s like watching your son die in entrance of you,” the sufferer’s father, Deepak Mahajan, mentioned.
The teenager’s mom sat silently subsequent to her husband and wiped tears from her face. It’s the first time the couple has been seen publicly since their son was killed.
“I can not correctly describe to you the true true worry inside that carriage, it was shaking, it was dashing, there was nobody holding the rein, and we might do nothing however maintain onto one another and scream,” Mahajan mentioned.
Throughout Wednesday’s marathon listening to, advocates of the invoice say the business is outdated and inhumane like that of circus animals.
“The truth that there’s anyone on this room that may take a look at an animal with the equipment and the carriage and the folks and the site visitors and the sounds and the smells and the warmth and say ‘certain, yeah, that is cheap,'” mentioned actor and animal rights advocate Edie Falco.
With the council speaker firmly on board, ending the horse carriage business could lastly have the help it must change into regulation.
“The time to behave is now. Practically 70% of New Yorkers are supportive of phasing out this observe,” mentioned Metropolis Council Speaker Julie Menin.
However the horse-carriage business had a lot to say as nicely, not solely defending their occupation, however criticizing some Council members for supporting a ban earlier than listening to from all stakeholders.
“A few events you’ve gotten referenced there’s large actual property right here. That is one thing that actually rubs me, myself and my homeowners,” mentioned Conner McHugh, a horse medallion proprietor.
“This problem round horse-drawn carriages in Central Park has been a discourse for a lot of administrations now,” mentioned Carlos Oritz of the New York Metropolis Division of Employee Protections.
A key focus of the listening to was what would occur to staff if the business have been phased out. Menin mentioned she is exploring alternatives within the hospitality sector for many who might lose their jobs.
“There’s been no dialogue with native 100 about what that specific job is. Workforce growth is a beautiful phrase. However I do not know what it’s,” mentioned John Chiarello of TWU Native 100.
The drivers testified they do not need to depart their present jobs or their horses.
“I couldn’t think about being ripped away from working beside my coronary heart in horse kind,” mentioned carriage driver Alexis Lawson. “Simply the considered not having the ability to work beside my horse is soul crushing. Nobody sees the dedication and love we share.”
The Mahajan household’s lawyer mentioned it’s not the carriage driver’s fault, however the metropolis is responsible for not banning the carriages sooner.
“The Metropolis of New York is accountable and answerable for this demise; they’ve identified for many years and a long time of the risks of horse-drawn carriages, no tethering posts, no hitching factors, not one single security gadget can safe a 2,000-pound animal from the vacationers and residents of this metropolis, on this planet’s busiest metropolis, on this planet’s busiest park.”
The horse carriage business and its union representatives are pushing another proposal that will add hitching posts round Central Park and permit the enterprise to proceed working.
Mayor Mamdani has expressed help for the laws’s intent however has raised considerations about its influence on staff whose livelihoods rely on the business.
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