A southern Alberta woman who is accused of abusing hundreds of dogs on a Milk River area acreage appeared in a Lethbridge courtroom on Wednesday.
April Irving faces charges in connection to the death of five dogs.
Irving has been targeted by outraged animal lovers through social media and in person following the seizure of 201 dogs from the property this winter, 60 of which Irving voluntarily surrendered.
A handful of protesters stood outside of the Lethbridge courthouse in anticipation of April Irving's appearance.
According to Heather Anderson of the DAISY (Delegates Against Inhumane Suffering – Y?) Foundation says it’s unlikely the hostility will escalate into physical violence.
“I think people are threatening her because they want her to know that they're angry,” said Anderson. “I don't think anybody’s going to harm her.”
The majority of the dogs seized from the rural property were malnourished and dirty. Several of the animals suffered from open wounds or broken bones.
