Justice Delayed: The Fight to Hold Ridglan Farms Accountable for Beagle Cruelty.

Ridglan Farms Beagles are suffering from neglect and abuse. — Julie, Anna, and Lucy were rescued from Ridglan Farms in 2017 by Direct Action Everywhere (DxE).

It has been over seven weeks since the Ridglan evidentiary hearing was held on October 23, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin, in the circuit courtroom of Judge Rhonda Lanford. The hearing lasted an entire day and included opening statements, witness testimonies, evidence presentations, and interviews. Two whistleblowers provided full testimonies detailing the atrocities they witnessed and the cruelty endured by an estimated 3,000+ beagles on a daily basis.

Attorneys representing Dane4Dogs LTD., including Attorney Wayne Hsiung, Attorney Steffen Seitz, and Alliance for Animals, petitioned the court to hire a special prosecutor to charge Ridglan Farms Inc. with animal cruelty, animal welfare violations, and abuse. Ridglan Farms, while holding a federal license, breeds beagles for non-human animal testing and sells these dogs as test subjects.

Evidence Presented

Attorney Wayne Hsiung presented live video recordings as key evidence. These videos depicted beagles crammed into small cages, pacing uncontrollably due to severe stress and a lack of exercise, sunlight, or interaction with humans and other dogs. The dogs were shown confined 24 hours a day in factory-like sheds devoid of windows, grass, or temperature control.

The videos were captured in 2017 when Wayne and other members of Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) entered an unlocked door at Ridglan Farms. They documented the conditions and even rescued a few beagles in extreme distress. Charges against Wayne and his fellow rescuers were later dropped, allowing him to present this critical evidence in court to expose what continues to occur behind closed doors.

Inspection Failures

Ridglan Farms has a history of failed inspections. Most recently, in September 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) reported overwhelming odors of urine and feces coming from beneath the beagle cages. The inspector noted a burning sensation in his nose and throat even after leaving the premises. Ridglan was also cited for failing to provide adequate staff-to-dog ratios, resulting in insufficient positive human interaction and medical care for the dogs.

The testimonies of two whistleblowers were particularly harrowing. They described dogs receiving surgeries performed by staff with no veterinary training, often without anesthesia or pain medication. After procedures such as cherry eye surgeries and vocal cord cutting, the dogs were reportedly left alone, scared and in pain, without medicine, proper medical care, or comfort.

Adding to the gravity of the case, a veterinarian who previously worked on the Envigo case testified that “Ridglan Farms was far worse than Envigo.”

Closing Statements

The attorneys’ closing statements emphasized the importance of this case—not only for the beagles currently suffering at Ridglan Farms but for the future of medical breeding and testing. Alternative methods to animal testing already exist, making the continued use of dogs for such purposes unnecessary and cruel. The attorneys highlighted the unwavering commitment of animal welfare advocates who brought this case to light.

Notably absent from the hearing was the current prosecutor of Dane County, who declined to be involved. Judge Lanford, in her closing remarks, requested additional evidence and paperwork to be submitted by November 8th. She promised a “prompt decision” regarding whether she would appoint a special prosecutor to charge Ridglan Farms. However, weeks later, we are still waiting for her ruling, leaving many emotionally drained and frustrated by the uncertainty surrounding the term “prompt decision.”

A Call to Action

The support of like-minded individuals who envision a world free of animal testing grows stronger each day. The concept of replacing archaic systems with modern technology is not far-fetched—it is both feasible and necessary. Why do we, as humans, continue to fail animals by using unreliable and unethical testing methods?

Animals are not test subjects, tools for torture, or reliable indicators of human scientific outcomes. Yet, in 2024, facilities like Ridglan Farms still exist. The fight for animals is far from over. Envigo was just the beginning; Ridglan is next.

If you care about ending the suffering of animals in testing and breeding facilities, now is the time to act. Help us spread the word, educate others, and stand up for what is right. It takes all of us to make a difference—to give voices to the voiceless.