MONTREAL – Video of a white calèche horse lying on the ground, with two men trying to help it back up, has revived complaints about the controversial industry.
The horse apparently slipped on a metal plate at 11:20 p.m. Saturday on the corner of William Street and Richmond Avenue in the city's Griffintown neighbourhood.
The calèche driver, in an attempt to help the horse up, also fell to the ground.
"The Montreal SPCA is extremely concerned about the welfare and safety of carriage horses in Montreal," Marie-Ève Fraser, a spokesperson for the Montreal SPCA, told CTV News.
Montreal police said it is not investigating the incident as there was no report of mistreatment to the animal.
Nevertheless, the Anti-Calèche Defense Coalition is demanding the incident be looked into.
Last June, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante announced the use of calèche horses will be banned as of Dec. 31.
Horse owners are eligible to receive up to $1,000 as the Montreal SPCA and other animal rights organizations help place the horses in shelters or with adoptive families.
"We invite the carriage horse owners in Montreal to participate in the placement program for former carriage horses to provide their animal a peaceful retirement," Fraser said.
This announcement was made following public outcry after several accidents, as well as the death of a horse in November 2018.
Horse-drawn carriages operate mostly as a tourist activity in Old Montreal and the Old Port.
