MADISON, Wis. — Law enforcement officials in Wisconsin report detaining approximately 25 demonstrators during weekend confrontations at a controversial beagle breeding operation, where nearly 1,000 animal rights supporters attempted to force their way onto the property.
The weekend incident marked the second time in two months that activists have targeted Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, located roughly 25 miles southwest of Madison. Officers responded with pepper spray and rubber bullets as protesters tried to breach the facility’s security measures.
Sunday brought a much different scene, according to the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, which described conditions as “significantly calmer and more peaceful” when about 200 people gathered outside the farm before leaving peacefully after approximately two hours.
“We’re pleased with the group’s cooperation today, and their willingness to remain peaceful, while still sending their message of concern for the dogs at Ridglan Farms,” Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said in a statement. “We are happy to support anyone who wants to exercise the right to protest, as long as they do so lawfully.”
Barrett had described Saturday’s events in a video statement, saying 300 to 400 demonstrators were “violently trying to break into the property.” The activists attempted to overcome multiple barriers, including a manure-filled trench, hay bales and barbed-wire fencing.
While some protesters managed to get past the fence, none succeeded in entering the building that houses an estimated 2,000 beagles, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
Among those taken into custody was Wayne Hsiung, 44, of New York, who leads the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs. He faces a potential felony conspiracy to commit burglary charge, while most other arrestees were processed and released, the sheriff’s office reported Sunday.
“No one should be assaulted for giving aid to a dog, even if damage to property is part of that rescue effort,” Hsiung said in a statement from jail Sunday that also accused authorities of using excessive force. “The animals of this Earth are not ‘things.’ They’re sentient beings. And we have the right to rescue them from abuse.”
During a March incident at the same location, demonstrators successfully removed 30 dogs from the facility, leading to 27 arrests.
While Ridglan Farms maintains it does not mistreat animals, the company reached an agreement in October to surrender its state breeding license by July 1 as part of a deal to avoid prosecution on animal mistreatment allegations.
The company’s website states that “no credible evidence of animal abuse, cruelty, mistreatment or neglect at Ridglan Farms has ever been presented or substantiated.”
