Central Park Carriage Horse Getting New Home After Midtown Accident
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Central Park carriage horse that was involved in an accident at Columbus Circle earlier this month is getting a new home.
Oreo, a 6-year-old black and white Gelding, will be joining 30 other horses -- many of which are former carriage horses -- at the Blue Star Equiculture of Palmer, Mass., officials announced Wednesday.
"Oreo will recuperate here, as we get to know him and evaluate his eligibility for adoption", said director Pamela Richenbach.
Oreo went on a wild ride on August 16 after getting frightened near Columbus Circle and Central Park South.
The horse took off after getting startled by a bundle of scaffolding that crashed to the pavement at a nearby construction site, Horse and Carriage Association President Steve Malone said.
The carriage crashed into a vehicle, injuring two Australian tourists and the driver. They have since been treated and released from area hospitals.
Oreo was eventually corralled blocks away on West 57th Street and Ninth Avenue, where he was found stopped behind a car waiting for a red light.
Malone said the horse was trying to make it back to his stable.
"We have amateur video of Oreo standing patiently at the red light," Malone said. "Oreo showed just how well-trained our horses are, even under duress."
The long-standing debate on banning the tourist attraction was rekindled by the incident.
The Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages held a demonstration at the corner of Central Park South and Fifth Avenue days after the accident.
Malone claims Roxanne Delgado, a member of New Yorkers for Clean Livable And Safe Streets, kicked carriage driver Jesus Rojas during the demonstration.
Delgado was charged with third-degree assault on Aug. 18. Wednesday, Malone called on Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance to prosecute Delgado to the fullest extent of the law.
"This has been going on for three years and we've kept our heads and our guys have acted in a professional manner 99 percent of the time," Malone said. "We instruct our guys that we're ambassadors to New York and we need to act in a professional manner but it's getting to the point now where there's lines being crossed."
Malone said another driver was attacked this past weekend.
"A driver was harassed inside the park and then stalked for approximately a third of the length of his ride," Malone said. "The person got into his face, struck him, punched him in the face and an altercation ensued after that."
Malone is looking to press charges against the alleged attacker.
