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Calls for Ian McKeever's arrest grow loud after he's identified as rider who beat carriage horse Ryder

The incident has led to calls for a renewed ban on horse-drawn carriages

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: The collapse of a distressed carriage horse Ryder during rush hour traffic in Manhattan, on Wednesday, August 10, has created outrage among New Yorkers and on social media after the incident went viral. The New York Police Department came to the horse's rescue after it collapsed and the driver, now identified as Ian McKeever was seen whipping the animal in an attempt to get it to stand back up. The incident occurred at 9th Avenue and 45th Street in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan. McKeever repeatedly yelled at the horse “Get up! Get up! Get up! C’mon, get up,” as bystanders were alarmed at the animal's state. Now onlookers and those who viewed the viral incident are calling for his arrest after his behavior.

The New York City Police Department said officers responded at about 5 pm. “Upon arrival, patrol officers observed a carriage horse lying in the middle of the roadway in distress,” police said in a statement. Mckeever was seen sitting in his carriage, while the horse writhed in agony on the hot pavement. Mounted officers hosed the horse down to help lower its body temperature and a pillow was placed under its head, said police. The horse was brought to a stable about 10 blocks away, examined by a veterinarian and diagnosed for "Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis", a neurological disease caused by possum droppings. After the horse was taken to the vet, McKeever was spotted carrying the carriage.

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Police said the horse was conscious on Wednesday night. “The NYPD takes the health and well-being of our four legged friends in New York City very seriously, and are glad that our trained equestrian officers were able to assist,” police said. Carriage horses have caused contentious debate in New York for years. Voters For Animal Rights called the incident “horrifying,” while People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals tweeted: “Horses don’t belong in big cities where they’re put in constant danger because of cars, humans, weather, and more.”

People have been calling for McKeever's arrest for animal cruelty. "I’m going to throw up. This is absolutely fucking disgusting. Ian McKeever, you belong in prison and you deserve every bad thing coming your way. Interesting that you’re the same person who fought for so long to keep this shit legal. There goes your case," wrote one social media user. Another demanded the carriage driver's arrest saying: "His name is Ian McKeever who’s been a driver for decades! He’s a piece of garbage that needs to be held accountable for his abusive actions!" One user wrote: "@nycspeakeradams, as Speaker of the City Council you have the power to stop the abuse of carriage horses and finally #banhorsecarriages. How many more horses have to suffer before you step up to protect these innocent animals from cruelty? Please Fine and imprison Ian McKeever!"

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio vowed that one of his first acts in office would be to ban horse-drawn carriages. He was unsuccessful but was able to sign the carriage horse relief bill into law, which makes it illegal for the horses to work in temperatures 90 degrees or hotter. Wednesday’s high temperature was 87 degrees. “The world is watching,” NYCLASS tweeted. New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets, an organization dedicated to banning horse-drawn carriages, called on officials to pass pending legislation to replace the carriages with electric vehicles. Ashley Byrne, PETA director of outreach and communication, said the legislation if passed, would “be a win for everyone.” “It would be a win for the workers. Their jobs would be preserved and would be much better and have benefits. It would also protect the public from accidents and run away horse incidents, that we have seen far too many of. And obviously a win for the horses,” she said.

Christina Hansen, a carriage driver who works at the stable said it, was “highly unlikely” the 14-year-old horse would be put down or sold off following the caught-on-camera ordeal. “He’s not going to be sold,” Hansen said, adding that she’d spoken to the horse’s owner earlier. Hansen said it was unlikely the horse would be put back to work immediately because he’ll need treatment for EPM. “It would be irresponsible,” Hansen, who is also a union shop steward, said. “We have all the time in the world. We’ll do what’s right by the horse. He’s going to be treated and we’ll figure out one of the best places for him to retire to,” she added.

The collapse of Ryder in peak rush hour traffic in Midtown Manhattan is tragic, unforgivable and entirely preventable,” Dr Jim Keen, director of Veterinary Sciences for Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy told NY Post. “Whether he collapsed from overwork and heat exhaustion, or, even worse, overwork, heat exhaustion and untreated EPM, there is no excuse to treat a horse like an expendable machine. There is a simple solution: prohibit carriage horses from dense urban areas, and replace them with electric carriages as Councilman Bob Holden proposed.”