23 Beagles Freed During Ridglan Farms Open Rescue
On March 15, 2026, animal rights activists led by Wayne Hsiung, co founder of the nonprofit The Simple Heart, and members of the animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere carried out a nonviolent open rescue at Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. The facility is known for breeding beagles specifically for biomedical and pharmaceutical research laboratories. The action brought renewed attention to the controversial breeding operation as activists entered the property to document conditions and remove dogs they believed were suffering inside the facility.
According to participants, roughly one hundred supporters gathered near the property while a smaller group entered the kennel area as part of the planned rescue. Activists reported removing dozens of beagles from cages inside the buildings. As the group attempted to leave with the dogs, law enforcement responded to the scene and intercepted some of the vehicles transporting animals. Authorities stated that several of the dogs were recovered while others remained with rescuers who had already left the area.
Videos shared by activists showed beagles being carried out of kennel buildings and later running across open ground outside the facility. For many viewers, footage of the dogs touching grass and exploring open space for the first time became one of the most widely shared moments from the action.
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office responded after reports that protesters had entered private property. Deputies detained several individuals during the incident while investigating how many animals had been removed and determining whether charges would be filed.
Rescuers who carried these beagles out later reported that the cages were filthy, covered in feces and urine.
Ridglan Farms has operated since the 1960s and has long been one of the largest commercial breeders of beagles used in biomedical research in the United States. The facility has faced years of protests, regulatory scrutiny, and criticism from animal advocacy groups who oppose the breeding of dogs for laboratory experimentation.
As part of a legal settlement with Wisconsin authorities, Ridglan Farms agreed to surrender its dog breeding license by July 1, 2026. Once that license is revoked, the company will no longer be allowed to breed and sell beagles to research laboratories. However, the facility itself is not closing. It is expected that Ridglan Farms will continue operating and may still conduct experiments on beagles at the property for contracted research clients.
Direct Action Everywhere describes open rescue as a form of civil disobedience in which activists openly enter facilities to document conditions and remove animals they believe are suffering. Participants say the goal is to expose industries that operate largely out of public view and to spark debate about the continued use of animals in research.
On Sunday, March 15, at approximately 8:30 AM, law enforcement officers from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, along with agencies from Mount Horeb, Verona, the City of Madison, and the University of Wisconsin, responded to Ridglan Farms in the Town of Blue Mounds after a group of roughly 50 to 60 protesters entered the property.
According to authorities, some individuals entered secured areas of the facility and began removing dogs. Law enforcement moved in shortly after, and approximately 20 people were taken into custody at the scene. Among those arrested were Wayne Hsiung, 44, of New York; Aditya V. Aswani, 29, of Brooklyn, New York; and Dean F. Wyrzykowski, 29, of San Francisco, California. Aswani was booked into the Dane County Jail on a tentative burglary charge, while Hsiung and Wyrzykowski were booked on tentative criminal trespass charges.
Officials noted that those detained were cooperative during the arrests.
In a public statement, Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett acknowledged the strong emotions surrounding the treatment of beagles at the facility while emphasizing the department’s responsibility to enforce the law. He stated that while peaceful protest is respected, law enforcement is required to respond when individuals engage in unlawful activity. Barrett also encouraged those with concerns about animal welfare or research practices to pursue lawful and constructive channels for advocacy, adding that the Sheriff’s Office remains focused on public safety and maintaining an environment where all parties can exercise their rights within legal boundaries.
Release of Arrested Activists After Ridglan Farms Rescue.
On March 17, 2026, individuals arrested during the March 15 open rescue at Ridglan Farms were released from the Dane County Jail after being held for processing and initial review of charges. Approximately 20 activists had been taken into custody during the action, with tentative charges including criminal trespass and, in at least one case, burglary. Following standard procedure in nonviolent protest-related cases, those detained were released pending further legal proceedings, with conditions such as signature bonds and agreements to appear in court at a later date.
Supporters gathered outside the jail as activists were released, greeting them with visible emotion, solidarity, and media attention. The release marked a shift from the direct action at the facility to the legal phase that often follows open rescue events. Prosecutors are expected to review the evidence before deciding whether to file formal charges, while advocates view the moment as both a continuation of their efforts and a renewed opportunity to bring attention to the treatment of beagles at Ridglan Farms.
What Lies Ahead for Ridglan Farms When Its Beagle Sales License Ends in 2026?
Ridglan Farms will lose its Wisconsin Dog Breeder License, issued by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), on July 1, 2026. This license is required for facilities that commercially breed and sell dogs, including supplying beagles to laboratories and research institutions. Once revoked, Ridglan Farms will no longer be legally permitted to breed or sell beagles in Wisconsin. However, the loss of this DATCP license does not require the facility to shut down entirely, and it does not prohibit the continued housing or use of animals for research under other regulatory frameworks, such as federal oversight.
The facility is expected to continue conducting onsite experiments involving beagles, potentially shifting its operations away from breeding and sales toward in-house or contract research services. The map above shows Ridglan Farms Inc.’s reserved booth at the 2026 Toxicology Conference in San Diego, California, where companies gather to promote their services, connect with industry partners, and secure new clients, signaling continued engagement in the research marketplace even after the license is revoked.
The open rescue at Ridglan Farms has once again placed the facility at the center of a national conversation about animal experimentation, transparency in biomedical research, and the future of laboratory animal breeding in the United States. For many advocates, images of beagles leaving the kennels represent both a rescue and a symbol of a growing movement calling for an end to the use of dogs in laboratory testing.
