Law students head to court to try to stop Montreal's urban rodeo

A group of law students and their professor from Universit de Montral have filed an injunction to try to stop a rodeo planned as part of Montreal's 375th anniversary celebrations.

The injunction, spearheaded by Prof.Alain Roy,follows calls from animal rights activiststo stop the Nomadfest Urban Rodeo, scheduled to take place in Montreal's Old Port in August.

The Montreal SPCA, which was been a vocal opponent of the event, praised the law students' move.

"This barbaric activity has no place in Montreal," said Alanna Devine, the SPCA's director of animal advocacy, in a news release Wednesday.

• 'End of story,' says Coderre: Urban rodeo coming to Montreal for 375th anniversary

The rodeois organized by the same group that runs the annual western festival in Saint-Tite, Que. The event is tofeature riders on bucking horses and bulls.

While some sponsors have dropped out of the event, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderrereiterated Wednesday thatthe citywill not be dissuadedfrom holding the rodeo.

"If there would have been a problem or concern with the animals, then I would have pulled the plug," Coderre said.

The rodeo is scheduled to runAug. 24 to Aug. 27.