Horse Tales of a Desperate, New York City Mayor

"The mayor wants to get rid of me? But, I committed no crime nor hurt anyone. People like me!"

 

Hell has apparently frozen over.

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One could never believe that both, horse carriage foes and horse carriage supporters could be on the same side of the coin. But apparently both are united in their opposition to Mayor deBlasio's "compromise in concept" bill to dramatically reduce horse carriage operations in New York City and slash the number of carriage horses by 2/3rds.

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For one group, the bill doesn't go far enough. And for the other group, it goes too far.

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Some might argue that a good "compromise" is always going displease both sides of a contentious issue because both sides have to concede something. But, in this case, all sides -- and then some -- are angry.

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It is not just those directly involved with or impacted directly by the horse carriage controversy who are unhappy with the bill, but a number of, to this point, impartial parties who are also distressed.

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These include park maintenance workers, the Pedicab industry, Park Advocates (see prior blogs) and even (the latest), the Central Park Conservancy.

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http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/horse-drivers-won-blaz-deal-stables-built-article-1.2501807

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At issue with the Conservancy is the question of who actually "owns" and has final say over the 160 year-old, maintenance facility at the 86th Street Transverse that deBlasio desperately wants to "convert" to a horse stable.

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According to the Conservancy and Park Advocates, including Tupper Thomas, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Parks, the building has "historical significance" and "should not be used for private concession."  

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But deBlasio claims the city owns the parks and facility and can thus do what it wants.

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DeBlasio fails to explain where the estimated 25 million dollars that it would require to transform a "historical" relic into a horse stable will come from. (Can anyone say, taxpayers?)  Nor is it known if the 44,000 sq foot facility could actually accommodate 75 horses, along with all the carriages, equipment and supplies necessary to properly care for them.

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http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/01/19/nyregion/in-compromise-mayor-de-blasio-to-allow-75-carriage-horses-in-central-park.html?_r=1&referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

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It's hard to believe one mayor could alienate so many diverse groups and people, but deBlasio has managed to do just that.

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http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/bill-de-blasio-s-carriage-horse-deal-draws-more-fire-1.11342670

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Today (Wednesday), newspapers are filled with threats of flying lawsuits should the bill pass from carriage drivers to Pedicab operators.  

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But one "Animal Rights" group, NYCLASS (New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets) says the proposal is "heading in the right direction." Considering the bill requires the creation of a stable in Central Park (thus freeing the land current stables sit on for development), that is no surprise. The founder of NYCLASS, Steve Nislick is a wealthy, former real estate developer and has contributed handsomely to Bill deBlasio, including channeling more than a million dollars to defeat his former rival, Christine Quinn two years ago.  

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NYCLASS had a seat at the table for the back room, "negotiations."  Apparently, money doesn't talk. It screams.

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In looking at this hornet's nest that the Mayor has unraveled in trying to appease his wealthy contributors, one cannot help but wonder about all the "Tale of Two Cities" talk we heard when he was running for office? We were told that deBlasio was the, "Champion of the working class and the little people of New York City." 

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But this bill is akin to, "Death by a thousand cuts" -- or dropping a horse in a slowly heating cauldron of water -- for many working people of NYC, as well as the horses "no longer wanted or needed" in the city.

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It could also double or even triple the work loads for the 75 horses allowed to remain, as there would be no back-ups for them. What happens if a horse is suffering temporary illness or injury or is just too tired to work a certain day?  What horses replace those on furlough or having a day off?  There would be no rotation horses to substitute. Reality is, you cannot force 75 horses to do the work of 200. Such would create actual animal abuse.

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In short, the "concept" bill, if passed, will add many "little people," (i.e. middle class workers) to unemployment lines, from carriage drivers, to stable hands, to horse care providers, to pedicab operators, to park maintenance workers to even the vendors selling carrots for carriage horses every morning. (There will also be a lot of hungry pigeons who will no longer have oat buckets to feed from, but no one seems to care about them.)

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But there are no unemployment checks or welfare programs for the more than 100 displaced carriage horses.

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Those utopian, "retirement farms" are just another "tale" that our fanciful mayor weaves.

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The City Council will be holding public hearings on the bill this Friday. Let your Council representative know how you feel about it. -- PCA

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Beware a Trojan Horse Compromise

A toddler offers an apple to a carriage horse last year.

Dilapidated, century-old building at 86th Street Transverse that mayor wants to magically transform into "stable" to house 75 carriage horses. (Photo credit: Geoffrey Croft, NYC Park Advocates.)

 

"Compromise: A way of settling differences by everybody making concessions."

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Beset by unrealistic campaign promises and an albatross that has plagued his administration for two years now, Mayor deBlasio has pushed, what is being touted, a "compromise" bill on the New York City carriage horse controversy.  The hasty, back room "agreement" was recently struck between the mayor and the teamsters union, representing carriage drivers. (City Council has to approve.)

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http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/18/nyregion/new-york-city-announces-deal-on-carriage-horses-in-central-park.html?_r=0.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/deal-would-restrict-new-york-city-carriage-horses-to-central-park-1453093043
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http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/horse-carriage-industry-mayor-de-blasio-strike-deal-article-1.2499992

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The proposed deal, "whose details have yet to be worked out," calls for a reduction in carriage horses from the current 200 to 95 and restriction of the horses to Central Park. It stipulates creation of a stable in Central Park to accommodate 75 of the horses -- most likely, a "refurbishing" of the antiquated structure on the 86th Street Transverse that once housed police horses.  

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Fair and just compromise on any issue is complex and usually entails much painstaking time listening to and communicating with all invested parties, as well as research into workable solutions to the impasse.

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But, deBlasio has never personally met with carriage drivers nor visited existing stables. And though he has met with those who handsomely contributed to and supported his mayoral campaign (to the tune of more than a million dollars), he doesn't understand the main concerns of many Animal Protectionists (including, this one).  

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How can deBlasio thus, judge fairly and wisely and make proposals affecting not only carriage horses, but their handlers and owners, as well as the general public and many others?

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It doesn't seem he can.

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Rather, deBlasio appears to simply want to get the monkey off his back -- and in the process, gain the rich land that the current stables sit on for the sake of his wealthy real estate developers and contributors.

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Though not a "necessity," carriage horses in New York City are and have always been a popular attraction for millions of lovers, tourists and park goers ever since Central Park was built in the late 19th century. Carriage horses have been clip clopping through the famous and prestigious park for 157 years.

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Many refer to the industry as "iconic." But, mostly carriage horses provide a pleasant and ambient service for humans: That of a relaxing horse carriage ride through the bucolic setting of Central Park. Other times, the horses provide opportunity for connection between harried city dwellers who rarely see a large animal in city confines and the very animals who helped to build New York City.

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But, deBlasio's "answer" to a crowded and stressed city is to create further congestion with the building of still more towering high rises on the small stretches of west side land that the current stables occupy.

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All this, while "reducing" a beloved tradition and service to the city and kicking out, not only many carriage horses and drivers, but approximately 40 necessary park maintenance workers, (mostly engineers, electricians, plumbers and blacksmiths) from their current work space in Central Park. The latter is in order to magically transform the century old, dilapidated structure at the 86th Street Transverse into a "stable" to accommodate 75 carriage horses.   

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http://awalkintheparknyc.blogspot.com/2016/01/de-blasios-new-carriage-horse-industry.html

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(Others unhappy with the mayor's "plan" are the pedicab drivers who compete with carriage horse drivers at Central Park South. Apparently the bill restricts them to working above 85th Street in the park -- an area of few tourists. One of the pedicab drivers is threatening to sue the city for potential loss of income and/or job.) 

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Among the numerous and perplexing "details not worked out in the plan" is how exactly the horses are to enter and exit the "stable" via the extremely narrow and congested 86th Street Transverse (see photo) nor how they are to make their way to 59th Street from 86th Street as the Bridal Path is not appropriate for horse carriages.

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Nor is it stated who exactly is paying for costly "renovations" to the dungeon-like structure right off the Transverse (supposedly to be completed by 2018) nor where carriages, equipment and supplies are to be stored.

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But, perhaps most significant of all, it is not explained how 95 horses pick up the normal work load for nearly 200 nor what ultimately happens to the approximately 100 suddenly displaced horses.  http://m.nydailynews.com/opinion/buck-bad-deal-article-1.2498691

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There are no "severance packages" for domestic horses who no longer have a  job. Instead, there are slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada.

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(Though the bill reportedly forbids the direct auctioning off of horses to slaughter, there is no way to guarantee that unemployed carriage horses won't fall through the cracks and loopholes. Many will likely be returned to Amish farms where there are few regulations and the animals work much harder than the easy clip clop through Central Park.  Moreover, horses are usually discarded when no longer able to do the hard labor required on Amish farms. Such are not "sanctuaries" or "retirement homes" for horses.)

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Just as any restaurant owner knows how many waiters s/he needs to properly serve the customers while also adhering to labor laws, the carriage industry knows how many horses are necessary to serve the desirous public, while at the same time, adhering to the animal welfare laws and regulations. (i.e. rotation of workers through shifts, days off and vacations) 

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Reducing the number of "servers" while desire for a service remains the same, (whether in human or animal endeavors) seems a recipe for either, potential abuse through overwork of those still employed or ultimate failure. Put simply, those enterprises unable to meet customer desire for the service (or product) ultimately go out of business.

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In that sense, the mayor's proposal seems little more than a veiled attempt to handcuff and cripple the carriage horse industry, resulting in actual abuse and or death to the horses and loss of many human jobs, from carriage drives, to stable hands, farriers, groomers, to park maintenance workers to pedicab operators.

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The dictionary defines compromise as, "A way of settling differences by everybody making concessions."

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But, concession should not equal dismantling of structure and purpose of popular and positive business enterprises, as well as abilities to actually serve.

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Nor, from an animal welfare standpoint, should "concession" result in actual abuse of animals and/or potential death to many or even all of them eventually. 

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In short, no one wins in this particular "compromise." -- Save perhaps, already wealthy, land and real estate developers.

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The mayor's office describes this ill thought out, inept plan as an, "agreement in concept."

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That seems appropriate as concepts are little more than ideas or dreams.

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This one appears a pipe dream with little root in reality, economics, practicality or human and animal welfare.

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As the saying goes, "Haste makes waste."

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Hopefully, the City Council sees the many gaping holes in this Trojan Horse "compromise", nixes it and insists on going back to the drawing board -- no matter how much a desperate mayor stamps his feet or tries to shove it down their throats. -- PCA

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DeBlasio's Ill Conceived Plan to Slowly Kill New York City Carriage Horses

Will NYC carriage horses become icons of the past?

Taking time for a carrot.

Engaging with the children.

Taking a moment for a little grazing.

 

On the surface, it sounds wonderful.

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"Retire" 2/3rds of the New York City carriage horses, build stables in Central Park and keep the horses out of traffic.  

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http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/01/15/horse-drawn-carriage-deal/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

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Unfortunately, matters are seldom what they appear on the surface nor how they are spun by politicians.

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In bid to get the pricey West Side land (for developers) that the current carriage horse stables sit on, as well as appease those who helped put him in office, Mayor Bill deBlasio has come up with a "plan" to slowly kill the horse carriage industry in New York City --though the proposed bill doesn't say that.

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DeBlasio's campaign promise of a horse carriage "ban on day one" of his administration failed to fly with both, the public and the City Council.

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And so he is trying a different tack. 

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But, the "plan" would actually create the very situation deBlasio is portending to care about and solve: That of real animal abuse.

How do 75 horses pick up the work load for more than 200?

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Presently, there are 220 carriage horses. The horses rotate to work in day or evening shifts, get days off and are required to get at least five weeks vacation every year.

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But, reducing the number of rotating and available horses from 220 to 75 would dramatically raise the work load for the remaining animals, thereby effectively tripling it.

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How could such bare-boned supply of horses allow for vacations or even days off as required by law? Would the horses be compelled to work double shifts in order to cover the demand for carriage rides, both day and night? 

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While consumer desire for carriage rides falls during certain times of the year (primarily winter), it is extremely high during other times -- especially holidays, when long lines of people (mostly tourists) are frequently seen waiting for an available horse and carriage.

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During slower parts of the year, the horses get significant rest periods between rides and are the subjects of much human admiration, photos and carrots.

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But, no matter how invigorating or even pleasant the job, no horse should be forced to work longer than the stipulated regulations simply because there are no horses to rotate and relieve him/her.

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Such situation is tantamount to animal abuse and effectively usurps the very laws and regulations enacted over the past several decades to protect horses and prevent abuse of them.

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But, if potential and likely overwork of remaining horses isn't bad enough, there is also the question of what happens to the roughly 130 horses who are supposedly, "retired?" Where do they go?

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Horses are legally considered "property" of their owners.

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Owners of carriage horses suddenly put out of work are under no obligation to hand those horses over to those who crusaded for their banishment -- and it's highly unlikely they would do so. But, horses are also expensive to keep or to board, especially when little or no money is coming in. While there supposedly is wording in the proposed bill that would prohibit the horses being directly sold to slaughter, it is also unclear what does happen to them.

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Reality is, that if "retirement" farms were plentiful and available for adult,  healthy horses, we would not be sending more than 150,000 horses for slaughter to Canada and Mexico each year.

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Virtually, every horse rescue and sanctuary in the USA is overwhelmed, underfunded and cannot take in all the young, beautiful and healthy horses otherwise bound to foreign slaughter destinations every day of the year.  

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Those campaigning for the ban of carriage horses have repeatedly stated that they have "waiting sanctuaries" for the banished carriage horses. But, were that so, why are these sanctuaries not using that "space" for horses heading to slaughter now?

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Finally, there is the issue (or hollow promise) of "stables in Central Park" for the 75 equine survivors of this hasty, ill conceived and cruel plan.

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In attempt to avoid all the legal snafus of requesting new public land (in Central Park) for private enterprise stables, the administration is apparently putting forth the suggestion that the antiquated building at the 86th Street Transverse in Central Park can magically be transformed into a "stable" to house the remaining 75 carriage horses. (It's currently being used to store equipment for park workers.)

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This is so absurd, as to be laughable.

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The building is a smallish, one-story, century-old former stable for police horses. (It is adjacent to the Central Park police precinct.)  But, no longer suitable for police horses, it is mostly now a warehouse and working space for electricians and park employees.

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There is no mention in the new proposal where the carriages for the 75 horses would be stored, nor all the equipment and supplies necessary to care for them properly.

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Moreover, while police personnel leaving or entering the police station in cars from the middle of the Transverse can push a traffic signal to temporarily hault traffic, how would this work for much slower and larger horse carriages?  The heavily trafficked, two-laned, Transverse is extremely narrow and on its face, seemingly represents a death trap for slow-moving carriage horses trying to compete with fast-moving cars and buses.

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One article suggested the carriage horses would walk along the Bridal Path in Central Park to get to 59th Street, a mile and half away. But, the rocky and uneven dirt, Bridal Path was designed for riding horses, not horses pulling bulky carriages.

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One might suppose, that if you cannot improve something, then it is best to leave it be.

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The laws, regulations and amenities currently in place to protect carriage horses and ensure their humane and healthy care were worked for over decades. But they would virtually be dismantled and rendered meaningless if deBlasio's ill thought proposal were to pass and be enacted.

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Such "plan" pleases neither those seeking a ban nor those wishing to keep carriage horses in New York City.

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Perhaps because it's a plan that sacrifices both, animal and human welfare for the sake of land grab, building development, political payback and greed. -- PCA

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The Magnanimous Canada Geese -- No Refugee Turned Away

Magnanimous and peaceful Canada geese. If a bird be in trouble, these are the protectors to seek out.

"Woodie" the Wood duck, who is for now, a goose.

Woodie in far right of photo, swimming with the geese.

 

There are not many animal species (including our own) who easily tolerate other non-related "refugees"  tagging along and mixing into their group. But, Canada geese are one.

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For the past several weeks, I have been observing a solitary Wood duck who apparently lost his flock or mate. He has been tagging along and staying with a gaggle of ten Canada geese at the Central Park Reservoir.

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While not exactly rolling out the red carpet for the colorful, but sometimes pesky newcomer, the geese nevertheless tolerate his presence.  

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This may seem unusual behavior, but it is not for Canada geese.

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There are many documented instances of geese accepting other birds into their family groups, the article below simply being the latest:

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http://www.pressherald.com/2015/12/17/rarely-seen-white-goose-attracts-attention-in-westbrook/

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Geese are quite magnanimous towards other birds who, for whatever reason, have become lost or separated from their flocks.

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During last year's brutal winter for example, there was another female Wood duck ("Willow") who sought refuge and protection among the dozens of Canada geese who stuck it out on the 99% iced over watercourse.

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Willow could often be seen huddled down closely next to the geese on the frozen ice. For their part, the geese never bothered Willow or attempted to chase her away. Perhaps they even had sympathy for the lone woodie's plight. Mallards on the other hand, weren't always so charitable towards Willow. Rather, they competed with her for food and usually won. I personally don't think Willow would have survived were it not for the acceptance and protection of the geese.

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The little Wood drake ("Woodie") I am seeing now is, like Willow, quite feisty and clever.  He often dives under the water and then pops up quickly to grab food that the geese otherwise miss. The geese are obviously annoyed with the "thievery," but other than a symbolic peck or two, they put up with Woody's shenanigans. As noted, the geese are quite magnanimous -- and charitable to boot. Sympathy for wayward refugees apparently goes a long way with them -- even to the point of sharing food.

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And it is not only lone or lost birds who apparently seek out geese for comfort and companionship, but sometimes injured ones as well.

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Last summer, for example, there was an injured Herring Gull at the Reservoir. "Harry" had temporarily hurt one of his wings and was unable to fly out with the other gulls in the evenings.

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So, for the week or so that Harry was compromised and healing, he too, sought out and hung with the family of geese who were typically at the east side of the Reservoir.

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Even though the goose family had four young goslings, they were not particularly perturbed by Harry's presence as long as he kept respectable distance from the babies.

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When Harry's wing finally healed, he took off flying to join the other gulls in the middle of the Reservoir. But, I bet he was damn grateful to have the safe sanctuary of the geese for that one week.

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Things don't usually work out well for injured flock birds on a watercourse as such is a sure calling card for predators, such as hawks.

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There are in fact, many birds of different types and species who should be grateful to Canada geese for their accepting and magnanimous ways.

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"If you're lost or in trouble, seek out a clan of those noisy and cantankerous geese." as the bird mantra evidently goes.  

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"Their honks are much worse than their bites!"   -- PCA

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2016: The Glass Half Full for the Animals of Our World and Continuing to Fill

Moving forward: The Geese of Central Park

Raccoon siblings.

A once doomed shelter dog, living the happy life.

 

There is a familiar riddle which asks the question:

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"If an 8 ounce glass contains 4 ounces of water, is the glass half empty or half full?"

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It seems the answer depends on whether water is being added to the glass or if existing water is slowly leaking or evaporating out.

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Regarding current circumstances for animals in our world, it is possible to perceive both circumstances occurring simultaneously -- the real question being which force is stronger and happening more, as nothing ultimately remains the same?

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This writing is not to focus on specific incidents impacting animals over the course of 2015, but rather to look at prevailing trends and changes in human attitudes towards the other creatures sharing our planet.

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"Leakage" from the metaphoric glass can be seen in the fact that thousands of species of our world are in peril and facing extinction; something referred to as the, "Sixth Great Mass Extinction."  http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/34228-a-wild-liberty-the-sixth-mass-extinction

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But water added to the glass can be perceived by our greater human attention and focus on the issue of extinction and global climate change -- something reaching as far as the Vatican and attention of leaders the world over. Such is evidenced in the recent UN conference on climate change and ultimate agreement among world leaders. http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/12/world/global-climate-change-conference-vote/

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Public awareness of endangered species and the impacts of illegal poaching and over-hunting of them rose to fever pitch in 2015 with the world outrage expressed over the poaching of much known and beloved lion, Cecil, in Zimbabwe by American dentist, Walter Palmer. http://www.zmescience.com/science/biology/cecil-lions-endangered-species-act-0432423/  Palmer was ultimately tagged, "The most hated man in America" -- a situation that later resulted in most airlines banning the importation of endangered animal "trophies" and changes in US law finally recognizing lions as an endangered species.

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More water being added to the glass.

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Nevertheless, water continues to seep out, particularly with human reliance on animal agriculture; a situation that results in the raising and slaughtering of billions of sentient creatures each year. Not only is the intensive confinement (i.e. "factory farming") of billions of chickens, turkeys, pigs, cows and other animals each year unsustainable and contributing greatly to the impacts of climate change and environmental destruction, but it is also extremely cruel to the animals and in fact, tantamount to tyranny of them. http://www.newsweek.com/chatham-house-report-global-appetite-meat-causing-dangerous-climate-change-402453

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But, even with this most catastrophic and barbaric of issues impacting animals, it appears more water is being added to the glass than what is spilling out.

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Most of this (again) is seen in evolving human attitude.

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One only need look as far as supermarket shelves and cases to note the tremendous rise and consumer demand in recent years for non-animal alternatives to meat and dairy, as well as public demand for "free range" and more "humanely raised" animal products.

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Personally speaking, when I transitioned to vegetarianism in 1977, virtually no such non-meat (or "free range") alternatives existed and certainly none were to be found in supermarkets and restaurants. These days, such industries are growing exponentially and more are being added every year.

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Thanks to the Internet with its easy access to information, as well as focus of the Animal Protection Movement in recent years on factory farming, the general public is becoming far more aware and is finally demanding change and non-animal (or, at the very least, "free range") options.

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Another animal issue seeing dramatic (and postive) change in the past few decades is our treatment and attitudes towards companion cats and dogs.

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When I first started doing animal rescues from the New York City pound system in the early 1990's (at first, ASPCA and later, Animal Care and Control), there was only one other known animal rescue group working with them. "Euthanasia" numbers were in the tens of thousands each year with the overwhelming majority of cats and dogs entering the shelter system, only to exit in a plastic bag.

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The situation was grim, overwhelming and demoralizing to say the very least.

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But, it has changed dramatically in recent years due to focus and increases in rescues, spay/neuter, adoptions and education.  

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While not yet "no kill," the New York City shelter system, as well as many throughout the country have become low kill.

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This is due in large part to the writings of Nathan Winograd (a leader in the No Kill advocacy movement) as well as increasing information on proper care and responsibility towards cats and dogs and implementation of programs like "Trap/Neuter and Release" for feral cats.  (TNR)https://www.facebook.com/nathanwinograd/photos/a.159167054107547.34833.159092957448290/1088545787836331/?type=3&theater

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It is also necessary in pointing out some of the many positive changes for animals in recent years to give credit to all the dedicated and hard working people producing nature documentaries for movies and television, writing nature and animal blogs, erecting animal-focused Facebook pages and of course, writing books. This is not even to mention the countless and unacknowledged souls venturing out day and night and in all kinds of weather to feed (or in some cases, rescue) needy strays or suffering wildlife.

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All of these individual actions add water to the glass.

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Some reading these musings will no doubt ask, "What about continuing slaughter of marine mammals?" "What about the proliferation of dog and cock fighting?" "What about the scourges of canned hunting, trophy hunting, trapping of wildlife and government programs of wildlife and wild horse slaughter?

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For sure, there is gaping crack in the glass, where water continues to leak and bleed out.

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But, at least in the United States, hunting is down and continuing to fall out of favor with the young. Laws are constantly being strengthened to better address animal cruelty and abuse issues. Rangers and other agents of law enforcement patrol our parks and forests to apprehend illegal poachers and ensure wildlife laws and regulations are being followed and enforced. Arrests are occurring more frequently in the egregious cruelties of dog and cock fighting and one state, Tennessee, has recently become the first in the nation to create a special registry for convicted animal abusers.  http://abc13.com/1144460/

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It may not always be noticeable to the consciousness or naked eye, but slowly, the pendulum is swinging in favor of greater human appreciation, caring and responsibility towards the other sentient beings of our planet.

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And perhaps nowhere has this change been more personally observed and appreciated than in the local attitudes towards Canada geese and other wildlife in our parks.

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I recall only a few years ago, an older couple passing a grazing goose family in Central Park one day and the woman angrily remarking to her husband, "Tch, I don't know why the park doesn't do something about those disgusting birds!"

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Such disturbing image and hateful words have since been replaced by thousands of other images of people taking photos and special delight with the geese and other animals of the park, as well as many others actually looking after the animals' welfare.

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The changes have been slow and subtle, but they are inexorable.

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They are changes in human attitude.

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We need now to plug up existing cracks, while continuing to add water.

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But, there is no doubt about it:

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The glass is half full for animals now and will continue to rise in 2016 -- as long as we keep our commitment and dedication to keep adding the water of life to it.  -- PCA

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