An animal rights activist has been filmed striking a horse-drawn carriage driver in the face and shoulder with a skateboard during a heated row in New York.
Abigail Holbrook, 27, was involved in a confrontation with two carriage drivers in Central Park on Tuesday, 10 November, according to police.
Footage shows Holbrook arguing with the men and accusing them of animal abuse before appearing to swing her skateboard at one of the drivers, as reported by Need To Know.
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The man is struck in the face and shoulder before grabbing the board from her.
Holbrook then appears to turn towards the person filming and tries to grab their phone.
Police said the 27-year-old had also punched a second carriage driver in the face during the confrontation.
Both men, aged 45, suffered minor injuries but declined medical treatment at the scene.
Officers responded to a 911 call shortly after 11 am near West Drive and West 59th Street.
Holbrook, from Philadelphia, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault, police said.
The incident was filmed by one of the carriage drivers and shared by the Transport Workers Union Local 100.
In the footage, Holbrook can be heard accusing the drivers of mistreating the horses.
She says: “You’re animal abusers.”
The confrontation comes amid ongoing debate over New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry, with animal welfare campaigners calling for the practice to end.
The New York City Council voted last month to phase out horse-drawn carriage rides by 2028.
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