Runaway Horses in Central Park Spark Debate on Horse Carriages

Runaway Horses in Central Park Reignite Debate Over Horse-Drawn Carriages New York City's Central Park was the scene of a startling event on Memorial Day when two horses pulling carriages bolted through the park. The incident, captured on video, has reignited the long-standing debate over the future of the city's horse-carriage industry. One witness described the scene as "crazy," adding that "a lot of people were screaming because they were scared for their lives." The video shows the horses running without their drivers, causing considerable alarm among onlookers. The incident involved two horses, one of which was a newcomer to the park. According to the union representing carriage horse drivers, one horse's headpiece came loose while it was eating, contributing to the incident. A driver, a 40-year veteran of the industry, suffered a broken wrist while attempting to stop the runaway horses and required surgery. This incident comes amidst pending legislation to phase out the horse-carriage industry, a move backed by animal rights organizations like NYCLASS. However, longtime driver Adrian Marrs argues that the city could avoid similar situations by installing posts to tether idle horses. Marrs believes this simple addition would make things safer for both the horses and the drivers. The debate continues as the city grapples with balancing tourism, tradition, and animal welfare.