As of April 2026, over 2,000 beagles remain confined inside Ridglan Farms in Dane County, Wisconsin. For nearly a decade, these dogs have been treated as disposable inventory—subjected to documented neglect, psychological distress, and physical suffering.

Wisconsin officials have both the authority and the duty to act. Instead, they have chosen to protect a corporate operation while prosecuting the citizens who refuse to look away.

For years, state inspectors and eyewitnesses have documented conditions at Ridglan Farms: dogs confined to small wire cages, deprived of sunlight, exercise, and meaningful human contact, exhibiting clear signs of psychological breakdown.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has recorded over 300 violations of state animal welfare regulations. Findings include untreated infections, deceased dogs housed beside living ones, and invasive procedures performed by untrained staff—reportedly without anesthesia.

A Dane County judge has already found probable cause for felony animal cruelty under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 951.

Yet no criminal prosecution followed.

Under Wisconsin Statutes section 173.41(4)(a), the state has clear authority to revoke a breeder’s license when the operator has violated the law or is unfit to operate.

That threshold has already been met.

Authorities may also initiate humane seizure under Wisconsin Statutes section 951.15 to prevent further suffering.

This is not a gap in the law.
This is a failure to enforce it. 

In October 2025, Ridglan Farms was granted a civil settlement allowing it to avoid criminal prosecution and continue operating until July 1, 2026.

Today, the facility faces only minor civil citations.

In contrast, Dane County prosecutors have filed felony burglary and conspiracy charges against animal rescue advocates who acted based on the same evidence of cruelty the state declined to pursue.

These individuals face up to 12.5 years in prison.

Those exposing alleged cruelty face prison, while those responsible for it avoid prosecution.

**UPDATE: On April 18, 2026, over 1,000 citizens gathered in Blue Mounds to provide aid and rescue to the dogs.

They were met with tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray.

Peaceful advocates—including students and medical professionals—were subjected to force while attempting to intervene in conditions already deemed to have probable cause for cruelty.

Multiple injuries were reported, including one individual who reportedly lost consciousness and several teeth.

Under the current agreement, Ridglan may continue operating until July 1, 2026.

This creates a critical window in which the remaining dogs may still be:

• Sold into laboratory experimentation
• Transferred under a federal research license
• Euthanized as surplus inventory

This is the continuation and potential expansion of harm. 

We call on Tony Evers and Josh Kaul to act immediately:

1) Revoke Ridglan’s Breeding License Now
Enforce section 173.41(4)(a) without delay.

2) Initiate Humane Seizure of All Dogs
Use authority under section 951.15 to transfer the animals to qualified rescue organizations, including:

The Marty Project, Dane4Dogs, and Alliance for Animals

3) Halt All Sales and Transfers Immediately

Prevent any further sale of dogs into research during this period.

4) Investigate the Use of Force on April 18

Launch an independent review of law enforcement actions against non-violent citizens.

5) Review the Decision Not to Prosecute Cruelty
Ensure equal application of the law under Chapter 951.

Dogs are sentient beings capable of fear, suffering, and trust. Wisconsin’s humane statutes already recognize this.

The issue is no longer whether the law applies.
It is whether those in power are willing to enforce it.

Wisconsin now risks punishing compassion while failing to enforce its own laws. 

Take Action Now:
Governor Tony Evers
(608) 266-1212
governor@wisconsin.gov

Attorney General Josh Kaul
(608) 266-1221

Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne
(608) 266-4211
danecoda@da.wi.gov

Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett
(608) 284-6170
sheriff@danesheriff.com

Nine years of evidence. Hundreds of violations. A judicial finding of probable cause. And still, no meaningful enforcement. This is no longer a question of awareness; it is one of action. The deadline is approaching.

Sign. Share. Demand accountability.