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NYC Carriage Horse Dies, Reigniting Ban Debate
12 Jun
Summary
- A 16-year-old carriage horse named Deniz collapsed and died in Central Park.
- The incident has renewed calls for New York City to ban horse-drawn carriages.
- Lawmakers are expected to introduce new legislation regarding carriage horses this week.
A 16-year-old carriage horse named Deniz suffered a medical episode and died on Tuesday, June 9, while pulling a carriage in Central Park. The horse's sudden collapse and death have intensified calls from animal welfare organizations to ban horse-drawn carriage rides in New York City. Deniz's owner expressed deep grief, stating he felt he had lost a family member.
This incident occurs as New York City lawmakers are set to consider new legislation related to the carriage horse industry. Animal rights groups, including PETA and NYCLASS, are actively advocating for the passage of Ryder's Law, a bill aimed at prohibiting horse-drawn carriages, named after another horse that died in 2022.
Supporters of the industry have countered that the horses are not overworked and that sudden health issues can occur. The City Council Committee on Health previously voted against Ryder's Law in November 2025. However, advocates are hopeful that Deniz's death will generate renewed momentum for restrictions.
