A controversial urban rodeo is set to begin in Montreal Thursday as part of the city’s 375th birthday celebrations.
READ MORE: Petition to ban calèches in Quebec City gets more than 34,000 signatures
The four-day event includes country music shows as well as traditional rodeo contests such as bronc riding and bull riding.
READ MORE: Spotted: a horseless calèche making the rounds of Montreal’s Old Port
Two animal rights groups are planning daily protests to denounce what they call the inherent cruelty of the events.
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READ MORE: Mayor to require mandatory vet checks after horse falls in downtown Montreal
The Montreal SPCA also opposes the rodeo and created a petition against it that has more than 26,000 signatures.
READ MORE: Montreal urban rodeo to go ahead after activists drop legal bid to block it
WATCH BELOW: Calèche debate in Quebec
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Activists want clarification on new calèche rules -
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Mayor Denis Coderre introduces new regulations for Montreal calèche industry -
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Animal rights groups protest Montreal Rodeofest -
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Calèches back on streets -
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Calèches drivers protest, file injunction -
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Calèche drivers protest -
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Drivers worry about calèche ban -
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No calèches in Montreal for one year
The event’s organizers have said the animals are well taken care of and a team of veterinarians is on hand at all times to monitor their welfare.
READ MORE: Calèche horse, car collide in Griffintown, sparking debate over safety
A legal challenge to stop the event was dropped in June after opponents of the rodeo reached a deal with organizers to bring in further measures to ensure the well-being of the animals.
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