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Miley Cyrus Supports Ban on Carriage Horses in NYC, Mom Hopes for Sanctuary on Family Farm

"Miley grew up around animals and with all our horses growing up, so she is very passionate about protecting all animals," Tish Cyrus exclusively tells E! News

By Natalie Finn, Ken Baker Mar 20, 2013 10:48 PMTags
Miley Cyrus, Tish CyrusCourtesy: BFA

It isn't just adorable dogs that have Miley Cyrus' heart all aflutter.

"Miley grew up around animals and with all our horses growing up, so she is very passionate about protecting all animals," mom Tish Cyrus exclusively tells E! News, explaining why their family has thrown their avid support behind a circulating petition to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City.

Tish has been spearheading the effort to get as many of her daughter's fans involved as possible.

"Miley's fans have been amazing," she says. "We were trying to reach at least 100,000 people signing the petition and, after Miley tweeted, her fans got us 6,000 signatures in a  few hours and pushed us over. We couldn't have done it without all her fans."

A spokeswoman for New Yorkers for Clean, Livable & Safe Streets, the organization behind the proposed ban, told E! today that they "shattered" their goal of scoring a 100,000 signatures, largely thanks to the Cyrus family's help, and that they're hoping to have 110,000 by the end of this month.

Alec BaldwinLea MichelePamela Anderson and Joan Jett are among the celebs who have also voiced support for the cause, according to Tish, who is encouraging everyone to go to www.StopHorseAbuse.com for more information.

Tish also revealed that the family would love to turn part of their 500-acre farm near Nashville into a horse sanctuary for retired carriage pullers.

"They get so arthritic," she lamented. "We just want to give them a place to retire and let them live like they should. This is something that I am very passionate about making happen."

"You all made my mama and all the horses so happy :)," Miley tweeted last night. "my fans really do come in handy xx."