Animal Rights Group Says MTA Rejected its Ad

An animal rights group is claiming its ad opposing horse-drawn carriages has been rejected by the MTA.

The transit agency adopted a new rule in April barring political advertising.

But Nina Hauptman, with Last Chance Animals, said there's nothing political about her group's ad. It shows a collision between a car and a horse-drawn carriage, with statistics about human injuries and animal deaths. Hauptman said it's a public safety message.

"It doesn't address any specific law, it's a message to the community regarding the safety of horse carriages for the animals and the people," she said.

Hauptman added that even if the ad was political, she doesn't believe the MTA has the right to bar free speech.

She said the ad was rejected by Outfront Media, which handles advertising on MTA property. The group has not returned WNYC's request for comment.

An MTA spokeswoman said the agency is still reviewing the ad, as well as a letter from the animal rights group's lawyer.