In a landmark move for animal welfare and urban safety, New York City is on the cusp of permanently ending its controversial horse-drawn carriage industry. City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced on October 14 that a formal vote has been scheduled for October 22 regarding “Romanch’s Law,” a decisive piece of legislation that would outlaw the operation of horse-drawn carriages within city limits, effective June 1, 2028.
The proposed ban arrives after years of intense advocacy and a series of high-profile tragedies that brought the dangers of navigating horses through congested urban traffic into sharp focus. The legislative push was galvanized by the death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who was fatally injured on June 17, 2026, after being thrown from a runaway carriage in Central Park. That tragedy occurred just over a week after the death of Deniz, a 16-year-old carriage horse that collapsed on the pavement while working in the park.
“Romanch’s death was a heartbreaking loss that laid bare the devastating consequences of this deadly industry,” said Edita Birnkrant, Executive Director of the advocacy group NYCLASS.
If the City Council approves the measure, the bill will mandate the gradual phase-out of the industry, prohibiting horses from being transferred for slaughter or sold to other carriage operations. To ensure a transition that is both ethical and practical, the law includes provisions to assist owners in finding humane retirement placements for their animals, as well as employment transition programs for those currently working in the carriage trade.
City Council Member Lynn Schulman, who chairs the Committee on Health, emphasized the public safety and ethical imperatives driving the vote. “Our city’s streets have become increasingly congested, making it less safe for the horses, and we must take these risks seriously,” Schulman stated.
For activists who have long fought to remove horses from the city’s concrete landscape, the upcoming vote represents the culmination of a grueling campaign. Steve Nislick, co-founder and President of NYCLASS, noted that the legislation serves as a victory for those who have spent years pushing to protect the animals from the daily stresses and hazards of urban traffic.
In anticipation of the October 22 vote, NYCLASS has organized a public rally to be held on the steps of New York City Hall on October 15. The event is expected to feature Speaker Menin and other supportive Council members, who will outline the final details of the plan.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes remain on the City Council, with animal welfare organizations and city officials signaling that the days of the carriage horse in New York City are nearing an end.
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