A protest is planned for May 30 outside Ridglan Farms, a Blue Mounds beagle breeding facility that has faced years of accusations of mistreating dogs.
Of the roughly 2,150 beagles at the facility, 1,500 were released to rescue organizations this month after series of protests and raids led by animal rights activists.
Local animal rights group Dane4Dogs is organizing the latest demonstration to demand the 650 remaining beagles be “released to loving homes,” said president Rebekah Robinson.
Robinson said the protest is meant to be peaceful. About 150 people are expected to attend, she said, and the demonstration will remain on public property. Organizers are calling on people to bring poems, songs and speeches.
“They’re going to have the opportunity to say their piece and let the dogs know that we’re still fighting for them,” Robinson said.
Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said his office has been in communication with organizers and will work to keep the peace.
“I look forward to a safe and productive day of the group exercising their First Amendment rights,” Barrett said.
The demonstration will be livestreamed, Robinson said, but she urged people who can to attend in person.
“It’s important to take time out of our busy lives to stand up for what’s right,” Robinson said.
Ridglan Farms has long denied mistreating the animals in its care. In a statement, the company said it supports the right to peaceful protest but is “fully aware of frequent suggestions by activists to launch yet another violent assault” on the facility.
The protest comes after two attempted break-ins at Ridglan Farms this spring drew national attention. In March, about 50 activists broke into the facility and removed 23 beagles.
About a month later, roughly 1,000 people showed up for a second operation, but were met with tear gas and rubber bullets from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. No dogs were removed.
In its statement, Ridglan Farms said the March and April operations showed “a blatant disregard for the legal process” and called for those involved to face “severe punishment.”
Since the spring operations, 1,500 dogs have been released after rescue organizations Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy purchased them for an undisclosed amount. Many have already been adopted.
Jennifer Smieja, a spokesperson for the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County, said May 27 that all but two of the roughly 20 beagles the organization received on May 12 have been adopted.
Now, activists say they are worried about what will happen to the dogs still inside.
Animal rights attorneys have filed a court order to stop Ridglan from euthanizing any remaining dogs. Court records show Ridglan has acknowledged it sometimes euthanizes dogs it considers unsellable.
A special prosecutor found enough evidence to charge Ridglan Farms with animal mistreatment last year, but Ridglan avoided prosecution under an agreement.
As part of the deal, Ridglan must surrender its state dog breeding license by July 1, ending its practice of selling beagles to outside research institutions. The facility may continue to breed dogs for its own on-site research.
Robinson said she believes most of Ridglan’s research clients have walked away since the settlement, but the option to sell remains.
“If they can’t sell them to labs, then we’re very worried that they will euthanize those dogs,” Robinson said.
Dane4Dogs has been one of the most active local organizations in the years-long campaign against Ridglan Farms.
In December 2024, Robinson filed a formal complaint with state regulators alleging that Ridglan’s facility manager and veterinarian, Richard Van Domelen, had committed repeated violations of Wisconsin’s animal cruelty laws – including performing surgeries on dogs without anesthesia. In September 2025, the Veterinary Examining Board suspended Van Domelen’s license.
Ridglan hasn’t said what will happen to the remaining dogs and has declined to give an exact number, citing safety concerns.
A spokesperson said only that it “is in the midst of finalizing arrangements.”
Quinn Clark is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be emailed at QClark@gannett.com.
(This story was updated to add more information.)
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Another protest planned at Ridglan Farms as 650 beagles remain inside
Reporting by Quinn Clark, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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