Mayor Bill de Blasio, who promised to ban the horse and carriage industry in one of his first acts as mayor, is now saying he expects to get it done sometime "this year."
But de Blasio stressed that the time lag doesn't mean he's any less committed to the ban.
"A humane society doesn't do that to animals," de Blasio said.
He acknowledged that the ban, which polls show most New Yorkers don't support, has sparked "contentiousness."
"That is part of making change in the world," said de Blasio.
He said he knew the ban was right in his "heart," and that there was a bill being drafted right now in the City Council.
"We expect action on it this year," de Blasio said.
