NYC's horse-drawn carriages could see end of the road

New York City's mayor is set to fulfill a campaign promise to animal rights activists -- he plans to ask the city council next week to remove horse-drawn carriages from the city.

The tourist attraction that dates back to the 19th century, might soon be a thing of the past, and it's making carriage drivers angry, reports CBS News correspondent Vicente Arenas.

For more than a century, horse-drawn carriages have been a fixture of New York City. They've made appearances in movies like "Home Alone" and TV shows like "Sex and the City." Now, those horses could be put out to pasture.

As early as next week, Mayor Bill de Blasio could introduce a bill that would ban the industry by 2016.

"We think it's time to end the horse carriages in this city, and we're going to act on it," de Blasio said.

It's a move animal rights activists say they've waited decades for.

"There is no reason that we should continue to perpetuate this unsafe, outdated, inhumane industry when we've got many different alternatives," Animal advocacy organization executive director Allie Feldman said.

The legislation is expected to lay out several steps including not renewing operating licenses.

Instead, hundreds of carriage drivers would be offered job training classes and will be eligible to get a medallion for green taxis which can only pick up passengers in certain areas.

The people at the reins said they aren't looking to change careers and insist their animals are well cared for.

"The green taxis, to replace something that's been here for 158 years, with another so-called business that's been here for 18 months, is equally an outrage," one horse-drawn carriage driver said.

Those drivers got support from actor Liam Neeson who paid a visit to this stable in March.

"I'm here in support of my brothers and sisters in support of the horse carriage industry and a beautiful industry it is," Neeson said.

Activists say it's not a fairy tale for the animals.

"We've had horses collapse on city streets, we've had horses die on city streets, horses have been hit by taxis, horses have gotten spooked and run into the middle of the road," Feldman said.

Once introduced, the bill would still need majority support from the city council.

"Of course we're worried but we will fight tooth and nail to keep our horses in the city for us, for our children and for the people of New York who love us," another carriage driver said.

If the proposal becomes a law, it's also expected to include a retirement plan for the horses, making sure they end up someplace safe.