A former Central Park carriage horse named Bernard was saved from being sent to the slaughterhouse by animal activists. The horse, estimated to be at least 14 years old, was found at a livestock auction in Pennsylvania. Julie Copper, from Copper Horse Crusade, paid $1,400 for Bernard and helped him find a new home at an animal sanctuary in Missouri. Edita Birnkrant, from animal advocacy non-profit NYCLASS, recognized Bernard from a Facebook post and realized he was once a carriage horse due to his faded identification number.
The carriage horse industry allegedly sent Bernard to the slaughterhouse once he was no longer profitable. Birnkrant and Copper worked together to find him a new home at the Gentle Barn Sanctuary, where he would be with other rescued carriage horses. Pennsylvania auctions attract buyers who sell horses for meat in countries where it is legal, such as Mexico and Canada. Despite efforts to retire carriage horses and send them to sanctuaries, some end up at these auctions due to a lack of monitoring.
Bernard was previously owned by Atakan Aktay, operator of NYC Fancy Rides, and stabled at Clinton Park Stables in Hell’s Kitchen. Aktay claimed he sent Bernard to an Amish farm in Pennsylvania, from where the horse ended up at the auction. However, Copper and Birnkrant believed that sending horses to Amish farms often leads to them being sent to slaughter auctions. The Transport Workers Union, Local 100, which represents carriage horse drivers and owners, disputed NYCLASS’s claims, stating that Bernard’s retirement was planned, and efforts were made to secure his future.
While the union tried to buy Bernard back, Copper refused to sell the horse. The union also discussed establishing a retirement home for carriage horses to ensure they have a place to go once they retire. Birnkrant highlighted the importance of finding safe and humane ways to retire carriage horses rather than sending them to auctions where they may be bought for slaughter. Copper Horse Crusade continues to work towards saving and rehabilitating slaughter-bound horses to give them a second chance at life in a safe and caring environment. Bernard’s story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by retired carriage horses and the need for proper retirement plans and monitoring to ensure their well-being.
