Overview
- The Transport Workers Union filed a New York State Supreme Court lawsuit seeking at least $1 million, accusing NYCLASS of tortious interference with the carriage-horse business.
- Court papers say NYCLASS misrepresented causes of horse deaths, including Lady in 2025 and Aysha in 2020, and falsely claimed drivers send horses to slaughter, citing the 2024 auction case of Bernard.
- The suit references a 2010 remark by NYCLASS cofounder Steve Nislick about eliminating carriages to “free up a lot of real estate,” asserting redevelopment ambitions linked to the Midtown stables.
- NYCLASS director Edita Birnkrant dismissed the filing as a desperate move and argued the public has witnessed collapses and dangerous incidents, noting other cities have phased out carriage rides and pointing to supportive polling.
- Political pressure remains high as Mayor Eric Adams backs a phase-out and issued a September executive order tightening operations, the Central Park Conservancy opposes the industry, and the City Council weighs Ryder’s Law.