In a somber incident that underscores the unpredictable nature of life, a 16-year-old carriage horse named Deniz passed away in New York City’s Central Park on Tuesday evening. This tragic event was confirmed by the police.
The incident unfolded around 7:29 p.m. near Central Park West and 72nd Street, where the horse was pulling a carriage with two passengers aboard. Witnesses, including Clara Bermudez who was out for a run, described the distressing scene, recalling how the horse struggled to breathe before finally succumbing.
Deniz was more than just a working horse; he was cherished by his caretakers, as noted by the Transport Workers Union Local 100. The union revealed that Deniz had received a clean bill of health during his last check-up by the NYPD Mounted Unit’s veterinarian in March.
“Sadly, horses, much like other domesticated animals, can experience sudden and catastrophic health issues,” said Eric Loegel of TWU Local 100, reflecting on the unexpected nature of the horse’s demise.
To uncover the reasons behind this sudden loss, Deniz will undergo a comprehensive necropsy at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. This examination aims to provide clarity and closure regarding the cause of his death.
Deniz will be taken for a full necropsy by the pathology department of Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine to determine the cause of death.
It’s a contentious divide between animal rights groups and those who support horse drawn carriages.
“I just was walking my dog and see a dead horse on the path on my walk home. And again, this is the second incident that I’ve seen in 10 months,” Danielle Leean Chin said.
“For these people to come and just accuse him of mistreating his animal, that helps him feed his children is revolting,” Christine Hansen said.
PETA Director Ashley Byrne responded to the incident with a statement saying, “If City Council needed a sign that the time is now to pass Ryder’s Law, this is it. How many more horses must collapse and die on New York City streets before this deadly horse-drawn carriage industry is put out to pasture?”
Animal Rights Groups have been trying to ban carriage rides for years.
Even before this latest casualty, they were planning a rally at city hall for Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the rides remain a popular attraction for tourists.
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