Full Breakdown
Activists Attempt Second Raid on Ridglan Farms Amid Controversy
4/18/2026, 10:48:40 PM
Overview of the Incident
On April 18, 2026, hundreds of activists from the U.S. and Canada attempted to storm Ridglan Farms, a beagle breeding facility in western Dane County, Wisconsin. This facility has been under scrutiny for its breeding practices, which involve supplying beagles for biomedical research. The activists aimed to rescue nearly 2,000 beagles still housed at the farm, following a previous raid on March 15, where 22 dogs were removed.
Escalation of Protests
The April 18 raid began around 9 AM, with reports indicating that activists were violently trying to breach the facility's gates. Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett stated that up to 400 activists were involved, while organizers claimed the number exceeded 1,000. The situation escalated when an activist drove a pickup truck through the front gate, prompting law enforcement to deploy tear gas to disperse the crowd. Reports of injuries among activists surfaced, including claims of rubber bullets being fired.
Background on Ridglan Farms
Ridglan Farms has operated for nearly 60 years and is licensed to breed beagles for research purposes. The facility has faced significant legal challenges, including a settlement requiring it to surrender its breeding license by July 1, 2026, to avoid animal cruelty charges. Allegations against the farm include severe mistreatment of animals, such as performing surgeries without anesthesia.
Official Responses
Sheriff Barrett emphasized the distinction between peaceful protest and violent actions, stating, “We have to draw a decisive line between peacefully protesting and violently breaking into a facility.” He has recommended criminal charges against 63 individuals related to the March 15 incident, including charges of burglary and property damage. In contrast, Ridglan Farms described the activists as "animal rights extremists" and characterized the April 18 incident as a violent assault.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of Ridglan Farms, including U.S. Representative Mark Pocan, have raised concerns about the facility's practices, citing over 311 code violations. Pocan has called for investigations into federal funding for groups obtaining beagles from Ridglan. Activists have also alleged that armed security personnel threatened them during protests, a claim Ridglan Farms has denied.
What's Next
The activists plan to continue their efforts, with a larger operation scheduled for April 19, 2026, where they anticipate mobilizing up to 2,000 participants. Organizers have been conducting training sessions to prepare for potential confrontations with law enforcement. The ongoing situation at Ridglan Farms remains fluid, with both sides preparing for further actions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “But we have to draw a decisive line between peacefully protesting and disagreeing and violently breaking into a facility, damaging property and stealing private property,” — Sheriff Kalvin Barrett
- “Ridglan Farms response Ridglan Farms released the following statement in response: "At approximately 9 am this morning, approximately 1,500 animal rights extremists launched a violent assault on Ridglan Farms, a biomedical research facility that conducts veterinary research benefitting pet animals.” — Ridglan Farms Statement
- “That's a beagle breeder for research. They've had 311 code violations, including very serious harm to the health of the dogs.” — U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan
This incident highlights the ongoing conflict between animal rights activists and biomedical research facilities, raising questions about animal welfare and the ethics of breeding practices.
