After more than a year, charges have been filed against a New York horse dealer after a carriage horse in his care collapsed months before the animal’s death.
On Wednesday, 54-year-old Ian McKeever was charged with one felony count of extorting, torturing and injuring animals and failing to provide adequate food.
Ryder, a 26-year-old horse, collapsed after work hours in 84-degree heat last August in Hell’s Kitchen. A viral video showed McKeever yanking on the reins to wake him up before hitting the animal with it, hitting it on its flank.
“As alleged, Ryder should not have been working on this hot summer day. Despite his condition, he was absent for hours and worked until he collapsed,” said District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
‘All animals deserve to be treated with the utmost care and the kind of abuse Ryder is alleged to have suffered is unacceptable.’
Ian McKeever, 54, was charged Wednesday with excessive driving, torturing and injuring animals and failing to provide adequate food.
The charges came more than a year after Ryder, a 26-year-old carriage horse, collapsed in his care
McKeever pulled the horse’s reins and slapped him to make him stand. Police officers gave him an adrenaline injection and immersed him in ice water before helping him to his feet
Police and medics were called to administer an adrenaline rush and hose down the animal, helping him to his feet after almost an hour.
On that day, McKeever had been working with Ryder in Central Park since 9:20 am. Prosecutors allege the horse appeared weak and walked slowly while panting with its tongue hanging out.
McKeever did not give the horse water despite the high temperatures, they say.
The Long Island resident claimed he had never hurt a horse in his life. Attorney Raymond Loving also questioned why it had taken so long for charges to be filed.
“It took them a whole year to decide to prosecute this case? Are you crazy, people know about this, this matter has been politicized,” Loving said.
After the collapse, Ryder retreated to a farm upstate to receive veterinary care. A few months later he was euthanized due to his declining health.
The animal had only worked as a carriage horse for four months before the incident. He would be sent to a slaughterhouse before the carriage horse officials purchased him.
In September 2022, the Department of Health filed charges against McKeever, accusing him of abusing the horse.
He was accused of forging Ryder’s birth certificate, claiming the horse was 13 years old. In reality, Ryder was twice his age and old enough to retire.
Prosecutors allege McKeever (center) failed to provide water to the horse despite the 84-degree heat
On the day Ryder collapsed, McKeever had been working with the horse since 9:20 am. He collapsed after 5 p.m
The 26-year-old horse is pictured working in Central Park, with his ribs visible
Prosecutors allege Ryder appeared weak and walked slowly while panting with his tongue out on the day of the incident
McKeever claimed he had never hurt a horse in his life. His lawyer also asked why it had taken so long for charges to be filed
McKeever made a “false and misleading statement or submitted falsified documents” regarding the licensing of his horse, according to the Department of Health.
In addition to his advanced age of 26, Ryder was also being treated for Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, according to representatives of the union that represents coach drivers.
They claimed his stumbling and difficulty standing were due to the ‘neurological effects’ of the disease, which is caused by exposure to possum feces.
However, animal rights activist Edita Birnkrant, executive director of NYCLASS, blames Ryder’s death on the horse-drawn carriage industry.
“This is the equivalent of an 85-year-old person who was sick with cancer, as we discovered during the necropsy, and other ailments,” Birnkrant said outside Manhattan Criminal Court.
“To make a profit, the horse-drawn carriage industry would have literally worked Ryder to death if it weren’t for the viral videos and the people exposing their endless lies and cover-ups.”
Birnkrant’s group, NYCLASS, is one of a growing number of groups calling for an end to the horse-drawn carriage industry.
On the day of Ryder’s death, Voters for Animal Rights released a statement saying, “We are fed up with the seventeen New York City Council members who, when they ran for office, promised us they would support a ban on horse-drawn carriages, but have yet to always haven’t done it. signed Intro 573, legislation that would put an end to this for good.”
In September 2022, McKeever was accused of falsifying Ryder’s birth certificates, claiming he was 13 when he was actually around 26.
McKeever casually emerged from Manhattan Criminal Court, taking a drag on a cigarette while flanked by reporters
A growing number of animal rights advocacy groups are calling for the end of the horse-drawn carriage industry
Intro 573, also known as “Ryder’s Law,” is a bill introduced in the City Council in December 2014. Under current laws, carriage horses are not allowed to work in extreme heat or cold and must be given vacation time.
Intro 573, now known as “Ryder’s Law,” was introduced to the City Council in December 2014.
In addition, they should be seen by a veterinarian at least twice a year and should not be allowed to work in extreme heat or cold.
McKeever’s case will return to court in December.