The tragic death of a Central Park carriage horse has ignited a fierce dispute between the Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) and the Central Park Conservancy. The 16-year-old horse, named Deniz, collapsed and died on June 9, 2026near 72nd Street and West Driveafter reportedly ingesting a Japanese yew planta shrub known for its toxicity to horses.
The incident has reignited the long-standing debate about the safety and ethics of horse-drawn carriage rides in Central Park. While the TWU argues that the horse’s death was a result of the conservancy’s negligence in maintaining the park’s vegetation, the conservancy points to the drivers’ responsibility in monitoring their animals.
The Role of the Toxic Yew Plant
A preliminary necropsy report from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine revealed a substantial amount of Japanese yew needles in Deniz’s stomach and intestines. The report suggested that the plant’s ingestion was highly interpreted to be lethal. The Japanese yew, commonly found in Christmas wreaths, is known to be harmful to horses, dogs, and other animals, according to the ASPCA.
The TWU claims that Deniz had been in good health, passing a veterinary examination by the NYPD Mounted Unit in March. The union argues that the Central Park Conservancy should have warned about the presence of such toxic plants in the park. John Samuelseninternational president of TWU, criticized the conservancy, stating, It’s obvious gross negligence by the gazillionaires who run Central Park.
The Central Park Conservancy’s Response
The Central Park Conservancy, which oversees the 843-acre park, has defended its position, stating that park rules prohibit horses from grazing on any vegetation. The conservancy argues that the drivers must attend to their horses at all times. Perhaps if they had, Deniz would not have suffered as he did, and diedthe conservancy said in a statement.
The conservancy also pointed out that this was the seventh incident involving working horses in the park over the past 13 months. They renewed their call for a ban on carriage horse rides, citing the increasing crowding and safety concerns for visitors, other animals, and the horses themselves.
The Impact on Carriage Drivers
Deniz’s owner, Nurettin Kirbiyika carriage driver for over 20 years, expressed his grief, comparing the loss of Deniz to losing a family member. Deniz was with us for 10 yearsKirbiyik said. He was not just a horse to us, he worked with us to help us earn our living, he had become part of our family.
The incident has also taken a toll on other carriage drivers, who report feeling unsafe and taunted as horse killers in the park and online. Kirbiyik urged people to remember that the world can hurt people and families and that we will never forget Deniz.
The Debate Over Carriage Rides
The horse’s death has renewed calls from critics of the horse-carriage industry for the City Council to pass Ryder’s Lawwhich would prohibit new licenses to operate horse-drawn cabs. Edita Birnkrantexecutive director of New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streetsurged the City Council and Speaker Julie Menin to fast-track the law to prevent further incidents.
Veteran carriage-horse driver Christina Hansen expressed surprise at the presence of potentially deadly plants in the park, stating that there is nothing to indicate that this danger is out there. She held up a clear bag with needles from the plant, saying, This was Deniz’s last bite.
As the debate continues, the tragic death of Deniz serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding the carriage horse industry in Central Park.
