It was a story that rolled into view about a decade ago and then trotted out of sight.
Now it's back in view and it concerns horse carriages in Manhattan.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced his support to end the use of horse-drawn carriages in Central Park.
Mayor Adams has called on the New York City Council to pass Ryder’s Law, legislation to phase out horse-drawn carriages and replace them with electric alternatives,.
The law, according to a release from the mayor's office, "has languished in the Council for over a year."
The horse carriage business in and around Central Park has, over the years, been heavily Irish. The most prominent supporter of its survival a decade ago was actor Liam Neeson.
And the most vocal critic of the mayor's call for an end to the horse drawn carriages is Irish American labor leader John Samuelson, president of the Transport Workers Union.
Samuelson has accused the mayor of betrayal stating: "Eric Adams is a straight-up Judas Iscariot who has sold his soul to real estate developers."
Samuelson said that developers have long had their eyes on the West Side of Manhattan stables where the carriages horse are housed, this with the intention of replacing them with luxury buildings.
The horse carriage drivers are members of the TWU.
Mayor Adams, meanwhile, has, according to the release from his office, "signed Executive Order 56 to prepare for the end of the horse carriage industry in New York, strengthen oversight and enforcement over the industry until the Council passes the bill, create a process for voluntary return of licenses, and identify new employment opportunities for those in this industry.
"Finally, Mayor Adams sent a letter of necessity to the City Council, which grants the Council the authority to expedite the passage of this legislation by waiving the aging period, and urges them to promptly pass comprehensive reform given safety concerns for everyday New Yorkers."
Said Adams in part: “New York City is a place where history and progress live side by side, but as long as I am mayor, we will always put public safety first. While horse-drawn carriages have long been an iconic fixture of Central Park, they are increasingly incompatible with the conditions of a modern, heavily-used urban green space.
"A series of incidents over the last few years have raised concerns about the welfare of the horses, as well as the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and carriage operators themselves.
" To understand all points of view on this complex issue, our administration convened all stakeholders, from driver representatives to community advocates, and it has become abundantly clear that these horse-drawn carriages no longer work for our city.
"To be clear, we will not abandon the drivers themselves, who are honest, hard-working New Yorkers. Through today’s executive order, I have directed our agencies to identify new employment opportunities for those in this industry and create a process for voluntary return of licenses.
"We are also open to exploring a new program for electric carriages so New Yorkers and visitors can continue to enjoy the majesty of Central Park. Despite the changes we’re announcing today, we understand that this executive order can only go so far, as real, long-term change requires legislation.
"We need the Council to do their job, step up, and work with us on comprehensive reform. This is not about eliminating this tradition — it’s about honoring our traditions in a way that aligns with who we are today. New Yorkers care deeply about animals, about fairness, and about doing what’s right. The Adams administration hears those concerns loud and clear, and we’re taking action, but we need the Council to meet us at the table. We can preserve what makes New York unique while also ensuring we’re not leaving anyone — human or animal — behind.”
Ryder's Law is named for a carriage horse named Ryder. Ryder fell and collapsed at the intersection of West 45th Street and 9th Avenue in August, 2022. The New York City Police Department intervened to help Ryder get back on his feet, but Ryder later died that October.
