Animal welfare activists are calling on the Wisconsin governor to shut down Ridglan Farms — a beagle breeding and research facility at the center of a growing national storm.
A powerful wave of animal welfare activism has swept through Wisconsin this week, as hundreds of protesters took their fight for 2,000 beagles all the way to the steps of the state Capitol.
What Sparked the Protest
Animal welfare activists converged outside of Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’ Capitol office on Monday, April 20, chanting “Free the dogs!” and demanding that the governor and attorney general do what they can to shut down a beagle breeding and research facility.
The facility in question is Ridglan Farms, located in rural Blue Mounds, approximately 25 miles southwest of Madison. An estimated 1,000 activists from around the country came to Ridglan Farms on Saturday in an attempt to free an estimated 2,000 beagles kept there.
The scene at the facility quickly turned tense. They were met by police who repelled them with tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper spray. Many of the protesters who had been at the facility on Saturday returned to the Capitol on Monday, with some showing off bruises they said were caused by rubber bullets.
About Ridglan Farms
Ridglan says it has served as a biomedical research facility supporting health studies benefiting both humans and animals for more than 60 years, and that nearly all of its current research is aimed at improving veterinary medicine.
However, the facility has not been without controversy. Ridglan agreed in October to surrender its state breeding license as of July 1, as part of a deal to avoid prosecution on animal mistreatment charges. Under that settlement, Ridglan will no longer be able to sell beagles to outside researchers starting July 1.
In response to this week’s protests, Ridglan said in a statement that activists “have spread false and highly misleading claims about our research and our deep commitment to animal welfare, fueling dangerous levels of anger and hatred,” and that staff members have been threatened and followed as they leave the facility.
Political Pressure Mounts
The issue has now reached the highest levels of political debate. Democratic U.S. Representative Mark Pocan called on state officials to work with Ridglan on a plan for releasing the dogs that won’t overwhelm placement groups and prevent the beagles from being euthanized.
Pocan last week questioned U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. during a House Appropriations Committee hearing about federal grants going to organizations that use beagles from Ridglan Farms. Kennedy said he had a hard time believing what Pocan was telling him but that he would look into it.
The Beagle’s Story — A Breed Often Chosen for Research
Beagles are among the most gentle, trusting, and social dog breeds in the world — qualities that, sadly, have historically made them a common choice for laboratory research. Their mild temperament means they rarely show aggression even under stress, which is why animal welfare advocates argue they deserve stronger protections, not exploitation.
The activists gathering in Wisconsin believe that the approximately 2,000 beagles at Ridglan Farms deserve a chance at a real life — one with a family, open fields, and the freedom to simply be dogs.
What Happens Next
With Ridglan’s breeding license set to expire on July 1, the critical question now is what becomes of the roughly 2,000 beagles currently at the facility. Advocates are pushing for a structured, humane rehoming plan that places the dogs with rescue groups and adoptive families without overwhelming the system.
For dog lovers everywhere, the chants echoing through the Wisconsin Capitol say it best: Free the dogs.
