NYC Horse Carriage Driver Pleads Guilty To Reduced Charge, Loses License Indefinitely

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Central Park horse carriage driver who was accused of animal cruelty pleaded guilty in connection with the case Wednesday.

Saverio Colarusso pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct, WCBS 880's Irene Cornell. He was sentenced to five days of community service, but lost his license indefinitely.

Colarusso allegedly forced his horse, Blondie, to work for four days with a painful leg infection.

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Members of the Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages went to court to see Colarusso sentenced.

The group's president, Elizabeth Forel, said she hoped for a stiffer punishment.

"There's really nobody out there to watch what's going on so this was a fluke frankly that he was caught, and I'm glad he was," Forel said. "I hope it sends somewhat of a message that at least he'll have some kind of a punishment. He'll probably paint benches or pick up leaves in the park, but it's better than nothing."

Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he wants to ban carriage horses and replace them with vintage-looking electric cars.

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