Horses are social animals who are meant to live with other horses and graze in fields and who have a deep desire to run free. New York City's horses, though, are slaves. They are forced to pull heavy carriages through blazing summer heat and frigid winter conditions, risking life and limb as they dodge traffic. That's why in December 2007, New York City Councilmember Tony Avella introduced groundbreaking legislation to ban horse-drawn carriages in the city.

Dear Christine Quinn,

As a concerned person, I urge you to vote in favor of the bill to ban the inherently abusive%u2014and impossible to regulate%u2014horse-drawn carriage industry. Horses should be treated compassionately, not forced to work between the carriage shafts for long hours in extreme weather conditions on hard pavement, inhaling exhaust fumes all day. Horse-drawn carriages are cruel to horses and dangerous to motorists and pedestrians. They are a sad sight and do not belong in New York City.

Sincerely,