On Dec. 31, they will wheel their carriages out for the last time past the construction sites and new condo towers that have popped up like mushrooms, making their way to the cobblestoned streets of Old Montreal. “It will be the first time you won’t have the sound of horses there.”Matte, who became captivated by the horses while working another job in Old Montreal, vehemently denies the animals in the industry are mistreated. He also blames the city for the incident of the horse slipping on the metal grate, saying drivers aren’t informed of roadwork. For now, Desparois doesn’t want to speculate about what he’ll do after the ban, refusing to accept the end of the industry. Cynthia Grahame, a Montrealer who has followed the story, said she has mixed feelings about the end of the industry.

Source: thestar December 29, 2019 12:00 UTC