Carriage driver faces trial after horse collapses in New York City
- In August 2022, a carriage horse named Ryder collapsed during a carriage ride in Manhattan, leading to public outcry.
- The trial of his driver, Ian McKeever, is centered around allegations of animal cruelty due to intense working conditions.
- This case has reignited tensions between supporters of horse-drawn carriages and activists seeking to ban them.
In August 2022, a carriage horse named Ryder collapsed on the streets of Manhattan, prompting a criminal trial against his driver, Ian McKeever. The incident occurred on a hot day when temperatures reached 84 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to allegations that McKeever ignored evident signs of distress from Ryder and forced him to pull the carriage despite his struggles. Witnesses reported that Ryder appeared to be in significant distress as he was maneuvered through heavy traffic, and video footage of the collapse soon went viral, raising public outrage about the treatment of working horses in New York City. The Manhattan District Attorney's office charged McKeever with overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals, as well as failure to provide proper sustenance. Testimonies and evidence presented during the trial indicated that Ryder was not adequately cared for and displayed signs of emaciation. A veterinarian who examined Ryder after the incident testified that he