X-Files star Gillian Anderson took action this week to help horses abused in New York City’s horse-drawn-carriage industry.
The actress wrote to members of the New York City Council, urging them to vote for a new bill that will see horses restricted to Central Park.
“I love New York, but I’m astonished that the city still allows shackled horses to dodge taxis, buses, and police cars every day,” wrote Gillian. "That’s why I’m urging council members to vote yes on Intro 573B, the bill that would limit the operation of horse-drawn carriages to Central Park. Last year’s police report on the dozens of awful accidents involving horse-drawn carriages was no surprise.
“The New York Times’ editorial board wrote the following: ‘Why should carriage horses be allowed in midtown or downtown or uptown or anywhere that exposes them to screeching brakes and loud honks? The tourist will surely be happier behind a horse that’s clip-clopping peacefully through the trees than behind one trembling in a seething mass of taxis. All drivers will be a lot happier, too, without horse-drawn carriages to contend with.’
“That was published in 1988. Since then, congested cities as diverse as Toronto, Mumbai, and San Juan have reined in the dangerous carriage trade. Let’s do the same in New York by passing this bill, which would keep the horses in the park. It’s safer for them and for New Yorkers and would make Manhattan more enjoyable for people like me who love to visit but hate seeing the horses in traffic.”
The vote takes place on Friday.
