Upon the release of the necropsy results, NYCLASS is saddened to learn that Charlie, who collapsed on 54th Street on Sunday, October 23, 2011, had not been in good health for some time leading up to his passing. We strongly urge again for the Department of Health to conduct a thorough investigation into the health and well being of New York City carriages horses, before another tragic incident occurs. As indicated in the ASPCA report, "Charlie was not a healthy horse and was likely suffering from pain due to pronounced chronic ulceration of the stomach and a fractured tooth."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, October 31, 2011
CONTACT: Katie Franger (212) 239-7323
Upon the release of the necropsy results, NYCLASS is saddened to learn that Charlie, who collapsed on 54th Street on Sunday, October 23, 2011, had not been in good health for some time leading up to his passing. We strongly urge again for the Department of Health to conduct a thorough investigation into the health and well being of New York City carriages horses, before another tragic incident occurs. As indicated in the ASPCA report, "Charlie was not a healthy horse and was likely suffering from pain due to pronounced chronic ulceration of the stomach and a fractured tooth."
We believe that many of the carriage horses are suffering from similar neglect that Charlie experienced, just as Bobby, rescued in 2010, and Chance, rescued by NYCLASS in 2008, had experienced on the streets of New York. Along with an immediate investigation, the Department of Health should require that all carriage horses have complete veterinary exams under guidelines established by the ASPCA, and by veterinarians chosen by the ASPCA.
Research further explains that, "Charlie was not healthy for a career in an urban carriage horse business. Charlie, who was licensed in August 2011, had been working as a carriage horse for only a few weeks, according to Pamela Corey, DVM, director of equine veterinary services for the ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement department.
It is time for New York to put a stop to the inhumane treatment of horses within this industry. New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets urges all residents to support Intro 86A, legislation to phase out the horse in the carriage horse industry, in order to adopt a new animal and environment friendly 'horseless carriage'. To learn more, please visit www.nyclass.org.