Turkish jockey files lawsuit in New York over Deniz, who died in the US

Turkish carriage driver Nurettin Kırbıyık has started a legal process against the city of New York after the death of his horse Deniz, who lost his life in Central Park. Kırbıyık stresses that his horse died after consuming a poisonous plant found in the park.

When and How Did Deniz Lose His Life?

Kırbıyık's 16‑year‑old horse Deniz collapsed to the ground suddenly during a ride in Central Park in June and died abruptly. Kırbıyık said that he saw Deniz as a member of his family and that his death was a great loss to him.

Details of Poisonous Plant in Autopsy Report

The autopsy report prepared by Cornell University states that Deniz died after consuming the plant known as 'Japanese yew', a Japanese boxwood tree. It reports that this plant, found in various parts of the park, can be poisonous to animals and humans.

Removal of the Plants Is Requested

Kırbıyık and horse owners want the poisonous plants found along the routes traversed by horses in Central Park to be identified and mapped. In the legal petition, the removal of the plants or the placement of warning signs around them was requested.

Central Park Conservancy Holds a Different View

Central Park Conservancy, however, argued that responsibility lies with drivers and horse carriage operators. The organization stated that the rules of the New York Parks Department prohibit horses from grazing on plants throughout the 843-acre park and that drivers must constantly supervise their horses.

City Did Not Comment on the Lawsuit

No statement has yet come from the New York City Department of Law regarding the legal proceedings. Horse owners, however, are insisting that the city administration and Central Park Conservancy take measures to address the risk posed by the poisonous plants.

The Future of Carriages Back on the Agenda

The incident also brought the debate about the future of horse‑drawn carriages in Central Park back to the forefront. New York City Council member Christopher Marte said that the bill titled "Romanch's Law," which calls for the removal of horse‑drawn carriages from Central Park, must go through an environmental review process.

The Bill Proposal Process Continues

The proposal is named after 18‑year‑old tourist Romanch Mahajan, who lost his life in a collision involving a horse‑drawn carriage in Central Park in June. The proposal is supported by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, City Council President Julie Menin, and the Central Park Conservancy.