Carriage Driver Charged After Forcing Elderly Horse To Work To Point Of Collapse On Hot NYC Street

Elderly Horse Endures Abuse on Manhattan Streets

In the bustling streets of Manhattan, a distressed incident unfolded as Ryder, an elderly horse, labored under sweltering conditions, collapsing due to exhaustion and overheating. This heartbreaking event occurred on a scorching August day, revealing the harsh treatment suffered by the senior equine.

Legal Action Against Alleged Abuser

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., on November 15, brought charges against 55-year-old Ian McKeever, the driver responsible for Ryder's ordeal. McKeever faces accusations of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals, Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance – a class A misdemeanor.

DA Bragg emphasized, "Ryder should not have been working on this hot summer day," expressing the sentiment that all animals deserve proper care. The charges underscore the gravity of the alleged mistreatment.

Inhumane Treatment Unveiled

The subsequent press release detailed the distressing aftermath of Ryder's collapse. At the intersection of West 45th Street and 9th Avenue, around 5:10 p.m., Ryder crumpled to the ground. McKeever's attempts to force the exhausted horse to stand included pulling on the reins, yelling, and using a whip. Shockingly, Ryder received no water despite the 84-degree heat.

McKeever, initially keeping Ryder attached to the carriage harness while on the ground, demonstrated a callous disregard for the suffering animal. Only with the intervention of an NYPD officer was the harness removed, allowing Ryder to lie down fully. Ice and cold water were applied for 45 minutes before Ryder could finally rise.

A Day of Unbearable Strain

Ryder's day began at 9 a.m., pulling a carriage in the heat until his collapse after 5 p.m. The 26-year-old, underweight horse, plagued by health issues, endured excessive work in conditions unsuitable for any living being. McKeever's deception about Ryder's age, claiming 13 instead of his actual twice that age, further adds to the distressing narrative. An age when the horse should have been retired was instead spent toiling in the unforgiving heat.

In the wake of this incident, the legal system aims to hold McKeever accountable for the alleged cruelty inflicted upon Ryder. The case sheds light on the importance of ensuring the humane treatment of animals, emphasizing the need for responsible care and ethical practices in their handling.