Niagara police had to call in extra reinforcements after a protest at Marineland Sunday got more rowdy than expected.
Protesters started assembling at the park gates around 9 a.m. But by 1:45 p.m., the crowd had swelled to about 800 people. Several rushed the park gates, chanting slogans, prompting police to call in extra reinforcements.
Photos posted to Facebook Sunday afternoon appeared to show protesters disrupting a dolphin show inside the park.
In a release, police said they were able to disperse the crowd. The protesters then moved to the side of the highway where participants held up signs reading “justice for animals and “things are worse behind the scenes.”
The group broke up by around 3 p.m. Police said there was no damage or injuries and no arrests were reported.
The rally was organized on the park’s closing day to protest the alleged mistreatment of animals at the facility after allegations of neglect surfaced earlier in the summer. Former employees said animals were not being properly cared for.
The claims even prompted the singer of the ubiquitous Marineland theme song to speak out, distancing herself from the park.
Marineland has denied any of its animals are mistreated.
