Ian McKeever was acquitted of animal cruelty charges after a jury found him not guilty of overworking the horse Ryder, who collapsed in August 2022. The horse lay on the street for almost an hour while being cooled down and was ultimately fine. McKeever's attorney argued the horse was not overtaxed but had merely tripped on the road. The case has highlighted the ongoing debate around horse-drawn carriages in New York City, where animal rights advocates and carriage enthusiasts have differing views on the treatment and role of these horses.
The horse lay on an avenue near Times Square for nearly an hour as concerned bystanders gathered around and police cooled him with a hose and ice.
Anti-coach activists question the horses' treatment and contend that Manhattan streets are no place for equines, pointing to some collisions and collapses over the years.
A six-person jury found Ian McKeever not guilty of overworking a horse called Ryder, who collapsed en route back to his stable on an 84-degree Fahrenheit day.
McKeever's attorney, Raymond Loving, said the evidence just didn't support the charge, emphasizing that the horse simply tripped while changing lanes.
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