Animal Rights Activist Assaults NYC Horse Carriage Drivers
An animal rights activist was arrested after allegedly assaulting two horse-drawn carriage drivers in Central Park, according to police and union representatives.
Abigail Holbrook, 27, of Philadelphia, was arrested after screaming at two horse-drawn carriage drivers in Central Park and accusing them of 'animal abuse,' according to police and video of the incident. Holbrook allegedly punched both drivers and struck one of them in the head with her skateboard, the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) told Fox News Digital. Both victims suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment at the scene. Holbrook was taken into custody by the New York City Police Department and is charged with two counts of assault (Fox News US). [1]
During the altercation, Holbrook shouted, 'You’re animal abusers! Horses do not do well in New York City. They are very sensitive to light and noise,' according to video of the confrontation. Holbrook also claimed, 'The people that are f------ using these horses are animal abusers. I’m Squid the Kid, bro. Y’all will know my f------ name.' The incident occurred amid ongoing legal and political battles surrounding the city's historic carriage industry (Fox News US). [1]
Union representatives and witnesses criticized the rhetoric from city leadership and advocacy groups, claiming that some organizations mislead the public about the treatment of horses in the carriage industry. Christina Hansen, a union shop steward who witnessed the assault, stated that the financial livelihoods of carriage drivers depend on the well-being of their horses. 'I only make money if my horse is well taken care of because I can't go to work if he can't pull the carriage,' she said (Fox News US). [1]
Abigail Holbrook, 27, of Philadelphia, was arrested after screaming at two horse-drawn carriage drivers in Central Park and accusing them of 'animal abuse,' according to police and video of the incident (Source ID: 1). During the altercation, Holbrook shouted, 'You’re animal abusers! Union representatives and witnesses criticized the rhetoric from city leadership and advocacy groups, claiming that some organizations mislead the public about the treatment of horses in the carriage industry (Source ID: 1). [1]
Advertisement
During the altercation, Holbrook punched two 45-year-old drivers and struck one of them in the head with her skateboard, the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) told Fox News Digital (Source ID: 1). Both victims suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment at the scene. Holbrook was taken into custody by the New York City Police Department and is charged with two counts of assault (Source ID: 1). [1]
Christina Hansen, a union shop steward who witnessed the assault and alerted police, placed the blame on rhetoric from city leadership and advocacy groups (Source ID: 1). Hansen noted that the financial livelihoods of carriage drivers depend on whether their horses are well taken care of (Source ID: 1). [1]
Abigail Holbrook, 27, of Philadelphia, was arrested after screaming at two horse-drawn carriage drivers in Central Park and accusing them of 'animal abuse,' according to police and video of the incident (Source ID: 1). During the altercation, Holbrook punched two 45-year-old drivers and struck one of them in the head with her skateboard, the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) told Fox News Digital (Source ID: 1). Both victims suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment at the scene. Holbrook was taken into custody by the New York City Police Department and is charged with two counts of assault (Source ID: 1). [1]
Christina Hansen, a union shop steward who witnessed the assault and alerted police, placed the blame on rhetoric from city leadership and advocacy groups (Source ID: 1). Hansen noted that the financial livelihoods of carriage drivers depend on whether their horses are well taken care of. 'Let's face it, these organizations ... make money by getting donations and there's no money to be made by telling people that our horses are well taken care of,' she said (Source ID: 1). [1]
Advertisement
Hansen stated that the problem arises when people are misled by animal rights groups who liken the carriage industry to slavery and claim that horses are being tortured. 'I only make money if my horse is well taken care of because I can't go to work if he can't pull the carriage,' she explained (Source ID: 1). The violence erupted amid ongoing legal and political battles surrounding the city's historic carriage industry (Source ID: 1). [1]
Abigail Holbrook, 27, of Philadelphia, was arrested after screaming at two horse-drawn carriage drivers in Central Park and accusing them of 'animal abuse,' according to police and video of the incident (Source ID: 1). During the altercation, Holbrook punched two 45-year-old drivers and struck one of them in the head with her skateboard, the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) told Fox News Digital (Source ID: 1). Both victims suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment at the scene. Holbrook was taken into custody by the New York City Police Department and is charged with two counts of assault (Source ID: 1). [1]
Christina Hansen, a union shop steward who witnessed the assault and alerted police, placed the blame on rhetoric from city leadership and advocacy groups (Source ID: 1). Hansen stated that the problem arises when people are misled by animal rights groups who liken the carriage industry to slavery and claim that horses are being tortured (Source ID: 1). She noted that the financial livelihoods of carriage drivers depend on whether their horses are well taken care of (Source ID: 1). [1]
Hansen said, 'Let's face it, these organizations ... make money by getting donations and there's no money to be made by telling people that our horses are well taken care of' (Source ID: 1). The violence erupted amid ongoing legal and political battles surrounding the city's historic carriage industry (Source ID: 1). Last month, the city council voted 40 to 7 to pass Romanch's Law, named in memory of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who died in June after being thrown from a runaway carriage in Central Park (Source ID: 1). [1]
Advertisement
The Cali Reporter newsletter
The stories worth your time.
California, the country, and what comes next. Join our free newsletter for reporting that keeps you informed.
More in U.S. News
- Cold Case Breakthrough Identifies 'Montauk Mary' as Possible Victim of 'Thrill Killer'
Suffolk County investigators have identified Sofia Margherita Marrone, known as 'Montauk Mary,' as a potential victim of Richard Biegenwald, the Jersey Shore 'Thrill Killer,' using DNA evidence.
- Driver Who Plowed Into Soccer Field Will Not Face Criminal Charges
A driver who fell asleep at the wheel and plowed a pickup truck into a youth soccer field in Wichita, Kansas, killing two people, will not face criminal charges, according to a report by the Sedgwick County District…
- Alleged Assault at NYC Protest Involving LGBTQ+ Activist
A woman claims she was assaulted by an LGBTQ+ activist during a protest outside Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, according to a report by Fox News US.