News of Ryder’s Death Brings Rallying Cries of Justice for Him and for all Carriage Horses into the Spotlight Once Again

News that a New York City carriage horse named Ryder died two months after collapsing on the streets of the city has brought forth rallying cries for justice.

Ryder is the bay gelding who fell on August 10 in New York City while pulling a carriage. His story is one of the most visible cases of suspected animal cruelty, and his death has brought the issue of justice for Ryder and for all carriage horses into the spotlight once again.

The National Law Enforcement Council had stepped up in September to offer its vast knowledge and perspective in animal cruelty investigations and prosecutions. Cochairs Josh Marquis and Drew Edmondson wrote a letter and a memo to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose jurisdiction includes looking into what happened to Ryder who was filmed by numerous people as he fell and was whipped by his driver. Ryder was unable to rise for more than one hour until police revived him with water.

The letters were sent via email September 7 from Kate Schultz, senior attorney for the Center for a Humane Economy and former animal cruelty prosecutor of the Queens County District Attorney’s Office. It pointed out that Ryder was not only malnourished but suffered from other health maladies and that the horse’s age had been misstated, perhaps deliberately.

Jim Keen, DVM, PhD, Director of Veterinary Science for Animal Wellness Action previously noted in a New York Post article that this horse showed neurological signs, muscle atrophy and poor body condition, which are chronic rather than acute conditions, indicating long-term neglect and possible abuse.

Bragg must also look into mounting evidence that suggests falsified documents of age and health, the authors point out.

In October, the same week Ryder died, Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy received documents as a result of their open-records request. The records, provided by The New York City Department of Health, show a history of reckless lack of oversight by the agency overseeing the horse carriage industry.

We continue to be deeply concerned about justice for Ryder as well as all 160 horses working to pull carriages in the streets of New York. They are working to encourage passage of pending NYC legislation, called Intro 573, which would end the use of horses for carriage rides and replace existing carriages with electric ones, which would be available for tours without entailing animal cruelty.