Wisconsin Beagle Breeding Farm Shuts Down After Rescue Group Buys Nearly 2,000 Dogs
Ridglan Farms, a beagle breeding facility in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, is permanently closing its operations. This closure follows an agreement with Big Dog Ranch Rescue, which has acquired all of the farm's dogs, totaling approximately 1,975 beagles. The farm had been the site of recent violent protests by animal welfare activists, some involving tear gas and pepper spray. Big Dog Ranch Rescue previously purchased 1,500 beagles in April and will now transfer the remaining 475 dogs. The facility had also faced charges of felony animal mistreatment, agreeing to surrender its state breeding license as part of a deal to avoid prosecution.
A beagle breeding farm in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, identified as Ridglan Farms, is set to permanently close its operations. Big Dog Ranch Rescue, a Florida-based organization, announced an agreement for the farm's closure and the transfer of its remaining 475 beagles. These dogs will be transported to other rescue groups or to Big Dog Ranch Rescue's campuses in Florida and Alabama for spaying, neutering, and adoption preparation.
This development follows an earlier purchase by Big Dog Ranch Rescue in April, when it acquired approximately 1,500 beagles from the same facility. The transfer of the remaining dogs is expected to conclude by August, at which point no beagles will remain at the farm. Lauree Simmons, founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, issued a statement calling for an end to further protests, emphasizing support for the dogs as they transition.
Ridglan Farms has been the focus of significant animal welfare activism. In April, law enforcement used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse a large group of activists who attempted to enter the farm to remove beagles. A separate incident in March saw protesters break into the facility, taking 30 dogs and leading to dozens of arrests.
For years, activists have advocated for the adoption of dogs from the facility rather than their sale to research institutions. Beagles are frequently used in animal testing due to their size and gentle nature. Ridglan Farms had agreed in October to surrender its state breeding license by July 1, a condition of a deal to avoid prosecution on felony animal mistreatment charges. The firm denied mistreating animals, but a special prosecutor determined that the farm performed eye procedures violating state veterinary standards.
According to Fortune, spokespersons for Ridglan Farms did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
