Activists are demanding better protections for animals in New york after a video of a carriage horse repeatedly collapsing was shared on social media. 

Authorities are investigating after animal welfare group NYCLASS shared the shocking footage of a horse who is visibly exhausted and unable to stand in Central Park. Two men appear to be attempting to keep the horse on their feet, but the animal collapses multiple times. The horse was confirmed dead the following day. 

“Disturbing footage from today shows a NYC carriage horse violently collapsing over and over while struggling to get up! The horse is from Clinton Park stables. We are gathering more info. Horse looks in critically bad shape,” the group wrote. 

WARNING: The below videos contain imagery which some viewers may find upsetting

EMERGENCY: Disturbing footage from today shows a NYC carriage horse violently collapsing over and over while struggling to get up! The horse is from Clinton Park stables. We are gethering more info. Horse looks in critically bad shape. pic.twitter.com/naWwAuyf7l

— NYCLASS (@nyclass) February 29, 2020

The footage was shared widely on social media, with many describing the shocking scene as ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘disturbing’.

The initial video was followed by another which shows a group attempting to move the horse into a cart, but the animal is clearly severely injured and repeatedly collapses. 

The horse is sprawled out on the floor and is attempting to stand but is too weak to support their own weight, much to the shock of onlookers. 

“This brutal video shows carriage drivers purposely blowing smoke into downed carriage horse Aisha’s face and her flipping over in terror,” NYCLASS claimed.

“There is 17 minutes more of footage like this. Aisha was brutalized. Now she’s dead. Animal cruelty charges need to be filed.”

?This brutal video shows carriage drivers purposely blowing smoke into downed carriage horse Aisha’s face and her flipping over in terror. There is 17 minutes more of footage like this. Aisha was brutalized. Now she’s dead. Animal cruelty charges need to be filed. @NYPDPaws pic.twitter.com/JZhsWuQ4ML

— NYCLASS (@nyclass) March 2, 2020

A spokesperson for Historic Horse-Drawn Carriages of Central Park has since confirmed the horse was euthanized. 

The company said the horse suffered an ‘acute medical emergency’ and showed sudden signs of distress, and the medical team suspect cardiac issues.  

“Unfortunately, she was never able to stand, apparently due to cardiac insufficiency in her hind end, and her owner, in consultation with the vet, made the difficult but humane decision to put her to sleep,” spokesperson Christina Hansen said in the statement.

Animal rights activists have responded with fury and demanded answers following the footage. 

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio responded by tweeting: “We’ve made real progress in animal welfare but we must go further. The NYPD’s Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad is on the case and WILL get answers.”

The video of a horse collapsing and dying in Central Park yesterday is painful and says so much about a persistent problem.

We’ve made real progress in animal welfare but we must go further. The NYPD’s Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad is on the case and WILL get answers.

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 1, 2020

The mayor later added: “Watching video of the dying carriage horse again, disgusted this is happening in our city. 

“Why are these poor animals still being forced to work on the streets of America’s largest city so a few humans can profit? This needs to end. When laws condone the inhumane, change them!”

Watching video of the dying carriage horse again, disgusted this is happening in our city. Why are these poor animals still being forced to work on the streets of America’s largest city so a few humans can profit? This needs to end. When laws condone the inhumane, change them!

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 2, 2020

The NYPD’s Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad is investigating the footage and awaiting results of a necropsy. 

This is the third carriage horse to die this year, according to the New York City Department of Health, with the previous two dying from colic.

• Read: Outrage as 8 starving horses found amid 27 ‘slowly decomposing’ corpses at farm

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