Wednesday, June 8, 2011

The by-law needs to be changed

These are some pictures and a video that I took today in Old Montréal. Click on them to view.
It was very hot and humid this afternoon in Old Montréal - the temperatures reached and exceeded 30°C between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. although it felt like 40°C with the humidex.

Sadly, the calèches were out on the streets as the by-law 
concerning horse-drawn carriages states:
 
“An owner operator may not leave a horse hitched to a vehicle between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. when the outside air temperature, as determined by Environment Canada at the Dorval Weather Office, reaches or exceeds 30°C”.

 











The problem with the by-law is:
1) the temperature in Old Montréal exceeds that of Dorval. Which means when it's 30°C in Dorval, it's a least a couple of degrees higher in Old Montréal...just like today.
2) and that the humidex is not even factored in. 

The by-law obviously needs to be changed for the horses' well-being. Luckily, few tourists were in sight and none were lined up for a calèche ride due to the high temperatures.

Let's not sit and watch as another horse dies!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Help Ban the Calèches in Montréal


The picture on the flyer is of the calèche horse, Jim, euthanised on the streets of Québec City in July 2010. It was not the first time that Jim collapsed due to extreme fatigue.

June 4th is Horses Without Carriages International Day.
Please help spread the awareness by forwarding the flyer above 
to everyone!