Montreal's caleche drivers are not heading to pasture just yet.
They are heading to court to fight a year-long moratorium on their business that was announced less than one week ago.
Their lawyer filed a request for an injunction in court Tuesday and hopes to get the moratorium preventing them from working overturned Wednesday, at least temporarily.
Monday was the last day caleche drivers were allowed to ply their trade in the streets of Montreal, but on Tuesday caleche drivers rode to City Hall to stage a protest.
They rode their wagons under the watchful eye of police officers on horseback.
Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said the ban will last until next spring and will give the city time to professionalize the industry and establish a committee that will ensure optimal conditions for the horses are being met.
Caleche drivers say the abrupt move by the city of Montreal is inexplicable, since a report commissioned by the city last year found that caleche horses were in great shape.
Montreal refunded drivers the cost of their permits, and told them to find somewhere else to stable their horses.
The SPCA, which calls horses pulling carriages exploitation, has offered to take the horses and retire them on a permanent basis.
Montreal said the moratorium will give it time to re-evaluate the role of horses, and decide if it is appropriate to continue having horse-drawn carriages operating within city limits.
