A 16-year-old carriage horse collapsed and died in Central Park after reportedly consuming a toxic plant, Japanese yew. The necropsy confirmed the cause of death, reigniting controversy surrounding the tradition of horse-drawn carriages in New York City. City officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, have renewed their calls to ban the carriage industry, while the drivers’ union and the Central Park Conservancy are pointing fingers over responsibility. This incident has also intensified advocacy efforts for horse welfare legislation, amid growing public outcry and discussions around the need for reforms.