New York City bans horse-drawn carriages over safety and abuse concerns

New York City has officially voted to ban horse-drawn carriages, concluding a 160-year-old tradition in the city. On Thursday, October 22, 2026, the City Council passed "Romanch's Law," which mandates a complete phase-out of the industry by June 1, 2028. This decision follows decades of advocacy from animal welfare groups and was significantly accelerated by recent public safety concerns, most notably the death of an 18-year-old tourist, Romanch Mahajan, who was thrown from a runaway carriage in Central Park in June 2026.

Proponents of the ban, including City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Mayor Zohran Mamdani, cited the increasing congestion in Central Park as a serious public safety hazard for both people and horses. Animal welfare organizations have long argued that the urban environment, including traffic and hard surfaces, poses inhumane and unhealthy conditions for the horses, leading to a significantly reduced lifespan compared to other working horses. The legislation includes provisions for a transition plan, offering support for displaced workers and ensuring humane placement for the retired horses, explicitly prohibiting them from being sold for slaughter or use in other carriage businesses.

However, the ban has faced strong opposition from the Transport Workers Union, which represents the carriage drivers, and from carriage owners themselves. They contend that the plan does not provide adequate economic relief for those whose livelihoods are tied to the industry, with some owners having invested significantly in their businesses. Despite these objections and potential legal challenges, the City Council's vote marks a significant shift in New York City's approach to animal welfare and public safety in its iconic Central Park.