NEW YORK (PIX11) — A horse dragged its carriage driver after becoming agitated in Manhattan on Sunday, according to police.
Officials said around 3 p.m., the horse and carriage were around West 55th Street and 10th Avenue when the canopy of the carriage fell on the driver. When the driver tried to fix the roof, the horse became bothered and dragged the driver.
The horse hit four cars and slipped near 12th Avenue and 55th Street. Officials said two off-duty police officers from the NYPD mounted unit helped return the horse to the Clinton Park Stables.
The driver was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries and is expected to survive, according to police.
“This is another prime example of exactly why New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Eric Adams must take swift action to fast-track and pass legislation to remove cruel and unsafe horse carriages from our streets,” said Executive Director of NYCLASS Edita Birnkrant told PIX11 News.
NYCLASS is a nonprofit aimed at saving animal rights, including carriage horses in the city.
“Horses are prey animals with a highly developed flight drive – they bolt when frightened, which is exactly what happened to 15-year-old carriage horse Gunner today…Forcing horses into Midtown traffic is a public safety danger, as well as animal cruelty – it must end immediately. The overwhelming majority of New Yorkers polled want horse carriages removed from our streets,” Birnkrant said.
