Getty (2) Billie Eilish and Kaley Cuoco
More than two dozen celebrities are taking a stand after August’s viral video of a carriage horse collapsing in the middle of a New York street.
On Wednesday, the Animal Legal Defense Fund announced that many celebrities had joined the animal rights organization in signing an open letter to the New York City Council to ban horse-drawn carriages in the city.
The letter notes, according to a statement, “The now viral video of Ryder on a New York City street is heartbreaking, infuriating and disturbing. Ryder, an elderly and emaciated horse, collapsed on 9th Avenue while pulling a The world bore witness as the driver of the car tried to force Ryder to his feet, when he could barely raise his head.The video is hard to watch for a reason – it’s not how animals should be treated.
Among those who signed the letter are music team Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas, actors Kaley Cuoco, Christopher Walken, Rooney Mara, Joaquin Phoenix and designer Christian Siriano.
Noah Cyrus, Whitney Cummings, Edie Falco, Ricky Gervais, Joan Jett, Riley Keough, Kesha, Kate Mara, Christian Serratos, Sarah Silverman, Sadie Sink, Hilary Swank, Justin Theroux, Marisa Tomei, Maggie Baird and other stars have also added their signature to the letter from the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
RELATED: Chicago City Council votes to ban horse-drawn carriages
“Ryder is an individual, but his situation is not unique. Media reports, smartphones and police reports have documented traumatized horses running through traffic and other carriage-related incidents too numerous to count. , spanning decades,” the letter continued. “Tragic events for horses haunt the history of New York City, as well as other cities across the country. Horses, horse-drawn carriage passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and others are endangered by this cruel and reckless industry. We say: no more.”
According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, in July, less than a month before Ryder’s downfall was filmed, Councilman Robert Holden (D-Queens) introduced legislation – Intro 573 – to ban the issuance of new licenses and replace existing cars. with electric option.
“The alternative to electric cars provides a safe and responsible option for commuting in Central Park and parts of Manhattan,” the press release explains of the legislation, which was filed but not passed.
On August 10, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) responded to an incident of a horse-drawn carriage falling into the middle of a busy street near Ninth Avenue and 45th Street in Manhattan around 5 p.m. hours, agents told PEOPLE in a statement at the time. .
“Upon arrival, patrol officers observed a carriage horse lying in the middle of the roadway in distress,” the NYPD added.
Mounted NYPD officers hosed down the horse to cool the animal. The horse, named Ryder, was taken to a nearby stable where he received “proper veterinary care”.
Video of the incident obtained by NBC News shows the driver attempting to pull the animal and hitting it, shouting, “Get up! Come on! Get up! Get up!” as it rests on the ground. The horse rather lowers its head.
RELATED: Carriage horse crumbles on New York street as driver shouts “Get up!”
NYCLASS, an organization committed to ending the abuse of carriage horses, called on politicians to take action following the incident.
“@NYCConcil@NYCSpeakerAdams@NYCMaire – the world is watching. This horse can die, like many others. You have to pass Intro 573 to put an end to this abuse! @BobHoldenNYC,” the organization wrotesharing footage of officers hosing down Ryder.
PETA too tweeted“This horse collapsed while pulling a carriage in New York, likely from heat exhaustion, and has been on the ground for over an hour. Horses don’t belong in big cities where they are constantly endangered by cars, humans, weather, and more.”
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has responded to criticism over the driver’s actions and wrote via Twitter, “The diagnosis from the equine vet who examined Ryder is that he has EPM – a neurological condition caused by opossum feces. Please don’t jump to conclusions until you know the facts or talk to the union carriage drivers.”
It’s later added that “Ryder is on the mend” alongside a video of the horse eating from a woman’s hand.
On August 27, the Gothamist reported that Ryder retreated to a private horse farm outside of town following the viral incident.
