Lose carriage horses and we lose history

Bronx: Banning horse carriage rides is like tearing down a landmark (“Menin backs ban on horse carriages ahead of hearing,” July 15). We all see movies and television shows of how it used to be before motor vehicles. Horse carriages were the main transportation method in the world. As a child, I enjoyed hayrides and horse carriage rides on vacations in rural areas.

I don’t recall owners treating the horses (the way they earn their livelihoods) in an unkind manner. You can’t find a bigger animal lover than me, as I have three dogs over 15 years old, and when I hear of animal cruelty, I get extremely upset and call the authorities immediately.

The industry — the little left of it — must be saved. It’s part of our history and brings much joy to many of us. The carriage operators only know this industry, and you will be destroying them. I believe in stricter regulations to prevent accidents, where we learn from the mistakes, to be paid for by animal rights organizations and the city to preserve the health and happiness of these animals. We should give them vacations on farms so they live complete, happy lives, while they’re being protected on the streets. The horse carriages are good for tourism. Please don’t replace them with electric cars. We already have electric vehicles everywhere.

Maurice DePalo

Protective measures

Manhattan: Re “Ban gains support” (July 16): Horses can hear dog whistles. It can startle them. There is a fanatical element among those who want to ban horse carriages. This rush to judgement is preventing a full investigation. A police detail should be assigned to protect the horses and drivers, and therefore the public.

Diane Moriarty

Statistically sound

Brooklyn: According to the latest NYPD data, the number of people killed in the city in crashes involving motorized two-wheeled devices is up nearly 86% year-to-date versus the same time last year. Such deaths surged to 13 by April 19 this year, up from seven during the same period in 2025. As of the city’s latest count this year, four people were killed in e-bike crashes, three involving stand-up scooters, one involving a moped, and five involving motorcycles. It’s sad that an accident by a horse caused the death of a tourist, but the numbers compared to motorized vehicles dwarfs whatever is caused by horse-drawn carts. The conclusion is that we’re much safer in horse-drawn carriages.

Lydia DiBello

Getting new jobs

Flushing: Here’s a remedy for solving the plight of the carriage drivers’ imminent unemployment in light of the horse-drawn carriage ban. The current administration should pay for the tuition costs at a CUNY college for every worker needing new vocational training. For instance, LaGuardia Community College has a track in veterinary medicine for veterinary assistants — a perfect match for an equine or animal lover. Let the city fund the two-year programs to help transition these workers into new and fulfilling careers. Let the mayor put his money where his mouth is.

Lisa Flanzraich

It’s their church

Bronx: In writing about West Park Presbyterian Church and its battle to end its landmark designation (“If West Park falls, all NYC landmarks are at risk,” op-ed, July 14), James Lima and Peg Breen seem ignorant of, or don’t care about, what a church is. A church building’s primary function is to be a place for people to gather for worship. It may also be used for religious education or fellowship. The congregation may decide to share its space with a variety of community partners. Church buildings are not meant to only be museums or social centers. Religious denominations are not meant to be landlords or property managers. By selling the existing property, the Presbyterian Church can direct those resources to supporting its mission and ministries in other places.

Rev. John F. Backe

Gender-asserting care

Rockaway Park: It’s not bad enough that we have an un-woke joke for a president, a cringeworthy cabinet and a very sorry Supreme Court. Now add to this caveman Pete Hegseth, who wants to shoot up our armed forces with testosterone so we’ll have a mindless band of murderers at his command. ICE isn’t enough? No, it’s not right, but it’s Plan B to whatever Plan A was for Iran this week. How’s all that working for ya, my fellow Americans?

Maureen McNelis

Compromised counsel

Bergenfield, N.J.: Re “Slip of the tongue” (July 16): Yes, it’s true that past presidents have appointed their personal lawyers to head the Department of Justice. The big difference from those past appointees is they were loyal to the law, not like President Trump’s personal lawyer, who is loyal to Trump and not the law.

Jack DeLucia

Fair-weather fairness

Nutley, N.J.: Strange to me and maybe to you — our elections are only fraudulent when Trump loses (according to him). Why aren’t they the same when he wins? Trump didn’t question the results of the 2016 and 2024 elections. How come? Doesn’t make sense. Or does it?

Elaine Bucino

Don’t be swayed

Warsaw, N.Y.: To Voicer Christian Narvaez: I understand why you’re lobbying Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer. Your Rayo Capital Group doesn’t want those nuisance regulators and institutions to get in the way of its crypto profits. But do Gillibrand and Schumer know any legitimate uses of crypto? It’s good for drug dealing, scamming people, making black market payments and, Sen. Gillibrand, gambling. Crypto is already a destabilizing force in our monetary system, but the so-called CLARITY Act would create even more danger. It would allow securities and commodities regulatory agencies to let loose the reins on crypto. FDIC-insured banks would be able to speculate in crypto hedge funds. Money laundering and sanctions evasion would continue unhindered. Ordinary people’s savings in retirement, pensions and other savings would be on shaky ground. Crypto’s been around since 2009 and hasn’t done us a lick of good. Our senators need to educate themselves.

Lynn Saxton

Flatulent filibuster

Yonkers: How dare Sen. Schumer! There he was giving a speech on the floor of the chamber, with us expecting him to talk about passing milestones. Instead, he passed gas — right in the face of America!

Nicholas Maffei

Shot to the kidney

Saint Albans: Once again, the creators of the comic strip “WuMo” have managed to conjure up a brand new entry for the “What were you thinking?” file. In the June 5 strip, a doctor said to a patient that a new kidney had become available, only for the patient to say they wanted a “vintage” kidney (whatever that is!) and proceeded to mention some upper-class brand names. Tasteless? You betcha. Tactless? Mission accomplished. The wait for a replacement organ can sometimes run into years, with recipients experiencing pain and their loved ones eagerly awaiting the call that a compatible organ has been found, saving the recipient’s life. Those who need an organ shouldn’t have their condition made into a subject of amusement and levity.

Anthony Vasser