Animal rights protesters arrested near Canmore

CANMORE- More than a dozen people affiliated with an animal rights group have been arrested in a protest against sled dog kennels, months after the same organization’s occupation of a turkey barn prompted the Alberta government to promise a crackdown on rural trespassers.

RCMP say they were called to the Mad Dogs and Englishmen kennels east of Canmore on Saturday morning after approximately 30 protesters allegedly broke into the kennels to protest the treatment of the dogs.

Mounties say 15 people were arrested and face charges of break and enter to commit mischief.

A news release from the group Liberation Lockdown states protesters “locked down” the kennel as well as another, Howling Dog Tours, alleging the dogs were tethered for days at a time on very short leashes.