As of Jan. 1, the city has banned horse-drawn guided carriage tours, citing heightened concern over animal welfare and a series of high-profile incidents involving the horses that spawned a wave of outrage and concern from citizens
Depending on whom you ask, it’s a victory for the rights of the long-suffering horses or a tragic loss of a piece of the city’s heritage.The horses “are what makes Old Montreal magic; it’s not the lights,” the 52-year-old said during a recent open house at the stables in Griffintown, as she finished the final harness adjustments on K.O., a chestnut gelding.
He pointed to a number of incidents involving the horses in the last few years, including one video of a collision between a horse and a car, and another that showed a horse down on the ground after slipping on a metal grate. In 2018, a horse fell and died in the middle of a guided tour. “We’re confident in the position we’ve taken and the actions we’ve taken,” Downey told reporters. “We’ve been more than respectful. We’ve tried to do everything, taking into consideration this has an impact on people’s lives and livelihoods.”
Quebec Superior Court Justice Michel A. Pinsonnault refused the request, ruling that drivers didn’t demonstrate that an emergency injunction is needed, and the request was brought far too late in the game.In an interview at the stable prior to the injunction request, Desparois described the ban as “political,” motivated by a small group of activists and city politicians eager to free up the valuable stable land for development.
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