Last Chance for Animals - New York City Carriage Horses

NEW YORK CITY VOTES TO BAN HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES FOLLOWING TRAGIC DEATH OF 18-YEAR-OLD TOURIST

October 22, 2026 - In a historic victory for carriage horses and public safety, the New York City Council voted overwhelmingly, 40-7, to pass Romanch's Law, legislation that will phase out horse-drawn carriages in Central Park by June 1, 2028.

When Romanch's Law is signed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, it will:

Phase out horse-drawn carriage operations in NYC by June 1, 2028
Require a transition plan for carriage drivers and other workers dependant on the industry
Require the humane placement of carriage horses and prohibit their sale for slaughter or for use in other carriage businesses

Romanch's Law - The legislation is named in memory of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who tragically lost his life on June 17, 2026, during a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park. Romanch was visiting New York City from India with his parents, Deepak and Priya, and his 11-year-old brother, Manik. The family was celebrating Romanch's high school graduation and acceptance into a university in India. During a stop on the carriage ride, the horse suddenly bolted, causing the carriage to overturn. When Romanch attempted to help his mother, who had fallen from the carriage, he also fell, striking his head on the pavement. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died from his injuries.

For decades, animal welfare advocates have fought to end New York City's horse-drawn carriage industry, raising concerns about the suffering endured by horses who are forced to endure heavy traffic, loud noises, extreme weather conditions, exhaustion, injuries and death. Romanch's Law marks a significant step toward ending this longstanding practice and willl protect both horses and the public from further harm.

LCA mourns the heartbreaking and preventable loss of Romanch Mahajan. Our thoughts are with his family, whose unimaginable tragedy has helped bring about meaningful change. We hope Romanch's legacy will help prevent future suffering and save lives - both human and animal.

LCA'S History of Fighting for Carriage Horses

In 2015, LCA released an undercover investigation (see below) exposing the suffering of New York City's carriage horses. The investigation documented horses forced to work while injured, denied access to water, and being subjected to dangerous traffic conditions. LCA, together with animal rights organization NYCLASS, also launched public awareness campaigns calling for an end to this cruel industry, including placing billboards near City Hall.

INVESTIGATION HISTORY AND CAMPAIGN TIMELINE

There are approximately 200 Horses suffering in New York City's cruel and abusive horse-drawn carriage industry. The Horses are forced to pull heavy loads for hours on end in sweltering heat on busy streets, and are at risk of injury, exhaustion, and death. Although the majority of New Yorkers oppose Horse-drawn carriages, the industry is kept afloat mainly by tourism.

In August 2022, a carriage horse named Ryder collapsed on a busy Manhattan Street during rush hour. He was beaten by the driver with whips and reins to get him to stand up. The ordeal lasted 45 minutes while cars and buses drove by and horrified onlookers watched. Ryder was later transferred to a sanctuary where he died months later. Unfortunately, several other Horses have also been injured or died in NYC's cruel horse-drawn carriage industry.

11/25/2019: NYC Mayor de Blasio signed Intro 1425A—the Carriage Horse Heat Relief Bill—into law to alleviate the misery horses are forced to endure while working in the scorching summer heat.

8/30/2018: NYC carriage horses were officially moved out of busy traffic on 59th Street and into three locations inside of the car-free park. The hack line move is a step in the right direction as NYC carriage horses will no longer be forced to work in dangerous traffic on the city streets.

8/30/2018: The Department of Transportation submitted new draft rules outlining NYC Mayor de Blasio's plan to move the horse-drawn carriage hack line into Central Park.

New York Carriage Horse Industry Investigation

Released November 2015 - LCA investigated the New York City carriage horse industry and exposed routine violations of the laws and regulations that protect both horses and people. The undercover video, narrated by Emmy Award-winning actress Edie Falco, reveals carriage horses operating in dangerous traffic conditions, deprived of access to water, and forced to work while injured.

LCA’s undercover footage revealed:

Drivers making U-turns the wrong way down one-way streets and running red lights
Horses left unattended and untethered on the “hack line” surrounding Central Park — even while small children are present
Horses tethered on short leads in their stalls at night, preventing them from reaching food and water and/or lying down
One driver refusing to let his horse access water during a ride when the city temperature was above 80 degrees
One horse, that was limping, forced to pull his carriage back to the stables, then put back to work without veterinary examination

LCA has filed complaints with the Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, Department of Transportation, Department of Consumer Affairs and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — all of which are responsible for enforcing New York City's carriage horse laws and regulations.

Dr. Holly Cheever, DVM and Vice President of the New York State Humane Association, reviewed the investigation video and concluded, “LCA’s analysis of New York’s carriage horse trade as detailed in its petition is completely accurate in its discussion of the hazards, cruelty, and the many violations of NYC Codes and Rules. Given the overall condition of the animals, quality of the ancient stabling, and hazards of their urban lives makes this tourist industry inherently cruel, in my professional opinion.”

Carriage Horse Injuries and Fatalities in NYC

There have been numerous incidents of horse carriage-related accidents in New York City, including serious injuries sustained by drivers, horses, customers, and passers-by. These include a child falling out of a carriage and run over by the wheel, a horse collapsing and dying in the street, and numerous cases of carriage drivers fleeing the scenes of accidents. Many of these drivers are never held accountable. These are some of the horrifying incidents:

7/2022 - Billy, a 14-year-old carriage Horse, was found dead in his stall during a heat wave. It was reported by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene that Billy died of colic.

6/2022 - Freddy, a frightened carriage Horse, ran into oncoming traffic the wrong way, eventually crashing into two cars. Frustrated drivers aggravated the situation by honking their horns.

6/2022 - Luciana, a carriage Horse, collapsed in Central Park and could not get up for an hour. Horrified onlookers watched and screamed as Drivers pulled on her tail and pushed on her neck to get her to stand.

9/2021 - A Horse pulling a carriage crashed into a car in Manhattan. The Horse collapsed and was unconscious for several minutes.

7/2021 - In an unprovoked attack, a shirtless man punched and kicked three carriage Horses in Central Park.

3/2020 - Aisha, a 12-year-old carriage Horse, collapsed in Central Park and was later euthanized.

10/2018 - A carriage Horse collapsed South of Central Park. The driver was reported to have been acting recklessly.

1/2018 - A Horse drawn carriage overturned near Central Park, sending the Horse and driver both into shock.

2/2017 - Max, a carriage Horse, collapsed in Central Park.

5/2017 - After being spooked by traffic, Billy, a carriage Horse, crashed into a taxi. Billy was trapped underneath the taxi before being freed by bystanders.

11/2016 - Norman, a 14-year-old carriage Horse, collapsed in Manhattan and went down for 10 minutes. A Witness reported the driver was screaming at Norman to make the green light before he collapsed.

2/2015 - Tickles, an 18-year-old carriage Horse, was euthanized after suffering a leg fracture.

6/2014 - Pumpkin, a 6-year-old carriage Horse, ran loose into Central Park, ran into traffic, then struck a taxi.

4/2014 - Frank Luo, a carriage driver, was accused by the Health Department of falsifying records. Luo allegedly tried to pass Ceasar, a 22-year-old asthmatic carriage Horse who was supposed to be resting on a farm, off as Carson, a 12-year-old Horse.

12/2013 - Saverio Colarusso, a carriage driver, was charged with animal cruelty after forcing a Horse with an injured leg to pull carriages for four days. He was previously charged with drinking on the job.

Public Safety Risks

Not only are Horse drawn carriages cruel to animals, they also create public safety risk as well. Throughout the years there have been numerous well-documented incidents of accidents and deaths caused by Horse drawn carriages. These are some of several incidents involving Horse drawn carriages that have occurred in the U.S. and abroad:

2021, Niagara Falls, NY - A 5-year-old boy was hospitalized and checked for internal bleeding after falling off a Horse drawn carriage. The boy leaned over the side, fell off, and was ran over by a rear carriage wheel.

2021, Tewksbury, MA - A 74-year-old man suffered a possible traumatic spinal cord injury after falling off a Horse drawn carriage.

2019, Savannah, GA - A Horse carriage overturned and 7 people were taken to hospital. The Horse became scared after a tree branch fell nearby and ran out of control, tipping the carriage over on a curb.

2007, St. Petersburg, Russia - Five-year-old Valeriya Kolodyazhnaya — the daughter of the mayor of Sochi — was killed in a horrific horse-drawn carriage accident. A car collided with the carriage, causing Valeriya to fall onto the road; she was admitted to the hospital with severe injuries, and later died.

1996, Branson, MO - A 10-year-old boy was killed after a Horse drawn wagon overturned at a theme park.

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