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The bill, known as Intro 658, was sponsored by Queens Councilman and mayoral hopeful Tony Avella, who says the carriage drivers chronically mistreat the horses.

"We cannot ignore the fact that this is an industry that makes its living on the backs of these animals with no regard to the fundamental inhumane conditions under which they work," he said.

Avella also says there have been seven documented street accidents involving carriages in the 18 months.

The carriage drivers, however, deny that the horses are treated poorly.

"I do not work with people who are cruel to animals, nor would I work with people who are cruel to animals,” said driver Gareth Smith. “I find it somewhat insulting that people who do not know me would think I would do such a thing."

"We are a highly visible business on the street all the time, with nothing to hide. We invite everybody to come and see our horses at work, check them out. They're there to be seen all the time," said driver Edward Callahan.

Animal rights advocates from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals say it is cruel to make the horses work on city streets.

"As New Yorkers, we know the city streets are difficult to navigate on foot. Imagine what it's like for a horse while stuck between stiff traces, attached to a carriage filled with people being forced to trudge through congested traffic in all weather extremes for many hours on end, year after year," said advocate Michael McGraw.

The Department of Health, which regulates the industry, along with the Consumer Affairs Department, is not in favor of the ban.

"It is our position that strengthening the current regulatory environment is preferable to an outright ban, therefore we oppose it," said Edgar Butts of the Health Department.

There will be another public hearing and a committee vote before Intro 658 goes to the full City Council.