Karen Feld, heiress to the Ringling Bros. circus fortune and longtime journalist, has filed a lawsuit against the National Arts Club in Manhattan, alleging disability discrimination after being banned from the club for refusing to put diapers on her service dogs. The suit was filed this week in Manhattan Supreme Court.

Feld, who has used her two small service dogs, Mango and Beignet, to assist with her PTSD and seizure disorders, claims she was barred from attending a May 19 event at the club’s historic Gramercy Park mansion. According to the complaint, the food and beverage director asked her to leave despite her status as a guest of a club member. Feld had also been scheduled to attend a luncheon the next day for the Silurians Press Club, a group of veteran journalists where she serves as a board member. However, the club subsequently informed her that she would only be allowed to attend if her dogs wore diapers.

The National Arts Club cited concerns over sanitation as the reason behind its diaper policy. Feld, however, disputes this justification, asserting that her dogs are professionally groomed and that the diaper requirement was a pretext for discrimination based on her disability. She noted that she has attended club events with her service dogs for approximately 20 years without prior complaints.

In response, the National Arts Club denied the allegations and stated that the dogs had twice caused problems within the club. The organization said that in one instance, the dogs soiled club property, and on another occasion, odors consistent with dog urine were detected in private member areas. The club described Feld’s claims as meritless in an official statement.

Feld’s attorney declined to comment on the matter. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over accommodation policies for service animals in private venues, balancing accessibility with venue maintenance concerns. The case is ongoing.