In case you missed this letter to the editor of the New York Times from Matt Bershadker, President and Chief Exec., A.S.P.C.A. New York, Dec. 9, 2014 re: the banning of carriage horses on the NYC streets.
To the Editor:
Re “A Proposal Whose Effects Might Not Be as Good as Its Intentions” (About New York column, Dec. 3):
Jim Dwyer assumes that placing former New York City carriage horses in more natural and appropriate homes would dim the prospects of homes for needier horses. But both groups deserve safe and humane homes, and we should be doing everything in our power to help them both.
These two goals are not mutually exclusive. To suggest that helping one group of horses in need might harm another creates a dangerous hierarchy that is inhumane.
As a staunch equine advocate for nearly 150 years, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals believes that all horses in crisis — from those suffering because of homelessness to those laboring in the unnatural and dangerous conditions of New York City streets — deserve our full protection.
We look forward to working with Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council to get carriage horses off city streets. We are also committed to partnering with rescue networks to find humane placement for any former carriage horse in need of a home and will continue to support horses across the country through legislation, rescue and grants.
MATT BERSHADKER
President and Chief Exec., A.S.P.C.A.
New York, Dec. 9, 2014