The Transport Workers Union (TWU), representing about 200 Central Park carriage-horse owners and drivers, has filed a lawsuit against the non-profit NYCLASS, which advocates for banning horse-drawn carriages in New York City. The union accuses NYCLASS of spreading false claims and engaging in a “pattern of malice” to harm the carriage industry under the guise of animal rights. The suit highlights instances where NYCLASS allegedly misrepresented the causes of death of carriage horses, such as Lady and Aysha, despite autopsy reports confirming natural causes. TWU also disputes NYCLASS’s claims about purchasing retired horses from slaughter auctions, arguing these statements are false and intended to damage the industry.

NYCLASS responded by calling the lawsuit a desperate move by a struggling business and emphasized the ongoing public safety and animal welfare concerns linked to horse-drawn carriages. The non-profit pointed to a global trend of cities phasing out such carriages to protect both horses and the public. The legal action marks the first formal suit in the contentious debate, which has gained political backing from Mayor Adams and the Central Park Conservancy. TWU is seeking over $1 million in damages, asserting that NYCLASS’s actions unlawfully interfere with the livelihoods of carriage drivers.