Montreal Calèche kingpin defends against allegations of animal mistreatment

WATCH ABOVE: Hot on the heels of Montreal’s health report on calèche horses, Calèche Lucky Luc has found itself at the heart of a debate over alleged mistreatment of horses. Global’s Eric Cohen reports.

MONTREAL – At Calèches Et Traîneaux Lucky Luc in Montreal’s Griffintown borough, inspectors had a close look around after new allegations of animal mistreatment came to light.

The man who runs the business is defending himself against the allegations, which state he works his horses too long and does not give them adequate living space.

“What they find,” he said, referring to complaints filed with the SPCA, “they turn it around and make it look bad, but it’s nothing really major – otherwise, I wouldn’t still be in business.”

READ MORE: Mayor to require mandatory vet checks after horse falls in downtown Montreal

Luc pointed out that he constantly has many level of government keeping an eye on his horses and said he hasn’t broken any laws.

Lucky Luc is described in come circles as a calèche kingpin – he has a stake in 12 of Montreal’s 24 calèche permits.

The Montreal SPCA has been concerned with how he runs his business for years, but he insisted there’s nothing to hide.

“If you go to any other stable, you’ll find plenty of little boo boos like mine have, and mine are working – it’s normal that they have little scratches,” he said.

The SPCA isn’t convinced.

READ MORE: Vaudreuil horse rescue fundraising to continue care

“I think in order for a bylaw to be enforced, if the city needs to literally babysit someone to ensure they are abiding by the regulations, there’s a problem there,” said Alanna Devine, SPCA spokesperson.

The organization supports the idea of a complete phase-out of horse drawn carriages.

“We think that Montreal needs to look at what other progressive world class cities are doing like Toronto, Beijing, Paris, New York and implement a phase-out of the industry,” Devine told Global News.

READ MORE: Calèche horses: sturdy and made to work hard

On the other hand, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said the calèches are an important part of the city’s heritage.

“The horses are part of our signature,” he said.

“But not at any cost and I’m going to make sure we are protecting these horses.”

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Saturday, Aug. 15, the City of Montreal is celebrating 350 years of horses and carriages on the streets with a parade of 30 calèches in the Sud-Ouest borough.

But Devine insisted the practice should be put in the past.

“We think that it’s very nice to celebrate the use of horses in the past, but that’s where this industry belongs,” she told Global News.

READ MORE: Calèche horses in good health, says report

Nevertheless, Luc stands by his industry and shakes off the recent allegations against him.

“All these allegations are stupid,” he said.

“Come around. You want proof? Just pick any horse in Old Montreal, go see them, especially go see them with a treat, you’ll make an instant friend.”

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