TAKE ACTION For Ryder’s Law

*Photo by Gabriele Holtermann

Because of upcoming City Council term expirations, We have less than two months left to make sure Ryder’s Law is brought to a vote this session. Your voice matters more than ever. 

Public pressure is the driving force behind progress.. Please take a moment to contact the members of the New York City Council’s Committee on Health, Speaker Adrienne Adams, and key allies to urge their support for Ryder’s Law (Intro 967) and demand that it be scheduled for a vote immediately..

Together, we can ensure that what happened to Ryder never happens again.

WRITE

  • You can call or email using this brief message — or make it your own. What matters most is that they hear from you.

    Subject: Please Support Ryder’s Law

    Dear Council Member,

    I’m writing to urge you to cosponsor Ryder’s Law (Intro 967)  and ensure it is brought to a vote immediately to protect the public and horses from ongoing safety dangers and cruelty. Horses like Lady who collapsed and died on 51st Street and 11th Avenue in August, and Bambi who spooked and ran wild on Labor Day in Central Park, with trapped passengers who had to jump out and parkgoers forced to run for their lives to safety. There have been four violent runaway horse crashes in Central Park just since May this year in addition to many other crashes in traffic. Horses and the public deserve  protection from the inhumane and unsafe conditions of New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry.

    This bill represents compassion, progress, and public safety: values that New Yorkers stand behind. A new Zogby poll released this month found that an overwhelming 78% of New York City voters fully support Ryder’s Law, showing a rare political consensus across every corner of New York City. There are replacement jobs for carriage drivers being offered that would provide increased salary and real union benefits and worker protections that they are currently being denied..  Please use your leadership to help phase out  this outdated practice and ensure a better future for horses, workers, and New Yorkers. . Thank you for your time and your service to New York City.

    Sincerely,
    [Your Name]
    [Your City, State]

    • Clearly state: “I support Ryder’s Law (Intro 967) and ask you to cosponsor the bill and bring it to a vote this year.”

    • Mention  that public support is growing and will not let up - 78% of New York Voters in a poll this month said they fully support Ryder’s Law and over 2/3rd said they want it to get a hearing and to be advanced. Optional: Add one or two personal lines about why this issue matters to you (animal welfare, public safety, etc.).

    • Be polite but firm: ask for their yes vote and commitment to move the legislation forward.

Lynn Schulman (Chair, Committee on Health)
District 29 – Queens
District29@council.nyc.gov
212-788-6981

Julie Menin
District 5 – Manhattan
District5@council.nyc.gov
212-860-1950

Carmen De La Rosa
District 10 – Manhattan
District10@council.nyc.gov
212-788-7053


Oswald Feliz
District 15 – Bronx
District15@council.nyc.gov
718-842-8100

James F. Gennaro
District 24 – Queens
District24@council.nyc.gov
718-217-4969

Who to contact:

Susan Zhuang
District 43 – Brooklyn
District43@council.nyc.gov
718-307-7151

Simcha Felder
District 44 – Brooklyn
sfelder@council.nyc.gov
212-788-7355

Mercedes Narcisse
District 46 – Brooklyn
District46@council.nyc.gov
212-788-7286

Justin Brannan
District 47 – Brooklyn
AskJB@council.nyc.gov
212-788-7363

Adrienne E. Adams
Speaker of the New York City
SpeakerAdams@council.nyc.gov
Council City Office: 212-482-6731 

Boycott The Rides: 

Until Ryder’s Law is passed, we are calling for a full boycott of New York City’s horse-drawn carriage rides.

Choosing not to take a carriage ride is one of the most effective ways to withdraw public support and funding from this outdated, inhumane industry.

Here’s How You Can Help

  • Refuse to ride in horse-drawn carriages anywhere in NYC.

  • Educate others and explain why these horses don’t belong in city traffic and the conditions in which they live. 

  • Encourage local businesses and tourists to stand with compassion and boycott carriage rides.

  • Support alternative jobs for drivers that would offer better pay and union benefits and worker protections that they are currently denied. 

  • Spread the word online using hashtags like #PassRydersLaw.

Together, we can build a kinder, safer, and more modern New York — one that values compassion over profit.