In a dramatic display of activism, animal welfare advocates gathered at the Wisconsin State Capitol on Monday, passionately chanting “Free the dogs!” Their mission: to urge Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul to take decisive action against a beagle breeding and research facility where activists had previously clashed with law enforcement.
This past Saturday saw approximately 1,000 activists from across the nation converge on Ridglan Farms, located in the rural setting of Blue Mounds, with the aim of liberating around 2,000 beagles. Confronted by police, the protesters were dispersed using tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray, leading to the arrest of 29 individuals.
At the Capitol, over 100 protesters encountered police officers by the hallway leading to the offices of Evers and Kaul. Officers distributed constituent contact forms for local residents, as the protesters, some holding images of Evers, Kaul, and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin with dogs, awaited a response.
Neither Evers nor Kaul responded to requests for comments. The Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, spearheaded by Aidan Kankyoku, implored the officials to address the concerns surrounding the dog breeder. Kankyoku emphasized the need for Kaul to issue a search warrant to investigate alleged animal cruelty. “We just want the dogs out,” said Kankyoku.
Ridglan Farms, denying any accusations of animal mistreatment, has agreed to relinquish its state breeding license by July 1 to avert prosecution. According to their website, “no credible evidence of animal abuse, cruelty, mistreatment or neglect at Ridglan Farms has ever been presented or substantiated.” They highlight their 60-year history in biomedical research, predominantly enhancing veterinary medicine.
In a statement, Ridglan Farms accused activists of spreading “false and highly misleading claims about our research and our deep commitment to animal welfare, fueling dangerous levels of anger and hatred.” The facility reported threats and harassment of staff as a result.
Protesters returned to the Capitol on Monday, many displaying bruises allegedly from rubber bullets used by police. Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett defended the officers’ actions, describing them as “appropriate and decisive” given the threat posed by the 300 to 400 protesters attempting to breach the facility.
The protest was divided into groups, with one faction prepared to commit felony breaking and entering, another willing to face arrest for trespassing, and a third there for peaceful protest, explained Barrett. The sheriff’s department released a video depicting a truck driving through Ridglan’s gate, posing a threat to officers and staff. Another video showed an activist seizing a baton from an officer during the attempted break-in.
In March, protesters had broken into Ridglan and taken 30 dogs, resulting in 27 arrests on charges including trespassing. Democratic U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan called on officials via social media to work with Ridglan on a plan to release the dogs responsibly, preventing their potential euthanasia. Pocan also raised the issue of federal grants to organizations utilizing Ridglan’s beagles with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. during a House hearing.
