NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill Wednesday that bans the slaughter of horses for food in New York State, a law that's been decades in the making.
The signing of the legislation—which came on the National Day of the Horse—makes it illegal to slaughter horses for both human and animal consumption.
Neither individuals nor corporations are allowed to slaughter horses under the new law.
A second bill signed by the governor will increase the fines for selling disabled horses at auction, while also extending those protections to mules and donkeys. The current fine is $5.
“Nearly 20 years ago, the U.S. Congress declared Dec. 13 to be National Day of the Horse,” Hochul said. “Here in New York, we are marking this occasion by signing new laws to address animal cruelty and the mistreatment of horses in our state.”
In a statement, state Sen. Joseph Addabbo, of Queens, said the bills would help safeguard “these majestic animals from cruelty.”
Assemblymember Deborah Glick, of Manhattan, said she’s been working for 19 years to make the legislation law. “Today is a great day for New York State and for the horses who deserve better than the fate so many have faced in the past,” she said.
The welfare of horses has been making headlines recently in New York City, where a coachman was charged by the Manhattan D.A. in November over the viral 2022 collapse of horse Ryder. Also last month, a runaway carriage horse dragged a coachman down a Hell's Kitchen street and collided with multiple cars before collapsing on the West Side Highway, leading to more calls from animal rights activists for a ban on the carriage horse industry in NYC.