Animal Rights

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From his very first days in office as New York City Comptroller, Bill Thompson has been a champion for animal rights in New York City. As Mayor, Bill will continue this fight.

As New York City Comptroller, Bill Thompson:

• Called on the City departments of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to properly oversee the carriage-horse industry. Thompson’s 2002 report revealed that—for more than 25 years—DOHMH failed to create a mandated Advisory Board to create rules for the protection of animals and to address topics including the size of horse stalls and age limits for horses.
  
  Working with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Bill also revealed many issues affecting the well-being of the carriage horses, including: a lack of water in areas where carriages wait to pick up passengers and inadequate drainage. Bill demanded that these and other issues be addressed by the Advisory Board.

• Released a follow up report in 2009 finding that DOHMH had failed to implement recommendations made by the Advisory Board for the horse-carriage industry. Thompson revealed that—although the Health Department created an Advisory Board based on his recommendation—the Department was not implementing the board’s recommendations.
  In addition, Thompson found that other recommendations made in his initial audit were not addressed, including: implementing methods to track horses to ensure their continued health and well-being and performing inspections at least once every four months.

• Released a report finding that Animal Care and Control (AC&C) failed to provide humane treatment to all of its animals and allowed dogs and cats to be "accidentally and needlessly euthanized." The report revealed evidence of animal mistreatment including: animals left in soiled cages or without water; animals needlessly euthanized; contagious animals housed with healthy ones; and examples of poor veterinary care.

• Released a follow-up report finding that—based on his suggestions—AC&C had made improvements in sanitary conditions in the City’s animal shelters, but serious deficiencies remained. Thompson’s report revealed significant progress, but also exposed continuing issues regarding the health of these animals. This included housing sick animals with healthy animals and not providing regular opportunities for exercise.