Ridglan Farms, a beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin, is closing its operations and transferring its remaining 475 beagles to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, a Florida-based organization. The agreement marks the permanent end of breeding, sales, research, and testing at the facility.
Lauree Simmons, founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, announced the closure and transfer Monday, stating that "not one dog will remain." The rescue group acquired approximately 1,500 of the facility's dogs in April. Transfers began this week, with 200 dogs moved on Monday and another 125 scheduled for Tuesday. The remaining beagles, still puppies, will be transferred in August.
The facility's closure follows years of opposition from animal welfare activists. In April, protests escalated when a group stormed the property, leading to dozens of arrests amidst police use of tear gas and pepper spray. Similar incidents occurred in March, resulting in arrests after activists removed 30 dogs.
Ridglan Farms agreed in October to surrender its state breeding license by July 1 as part of a deal to avoid prosecution on felony animal mistreatment charges. While the firm has denied mistreating animals, a special prosecutor determined that eye procedures performed at the facility violated state veterinary standards.
Simmons indicated that some of the transferred beagles will go to other rescue groups, while others will be sent to Big Dog Ranch Rescue's campuses in Florida and Alabama for spaying, neutering, and preparation for adoption. She urged protesters to cease demonstrations, emphasizing the farm's commitment to closure and the dogs' transition to new lives.
Beagles are commonly used in animal testing due to their size and temperament, according to Big Dog Ranch Rescue. Simmons stated that her group is also working with the Trump administration to halt funding for studies involving animal experimentation. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's Health and Human Services secretary at the time, referred to the deal as a "major win for animal welfare."
In a statement, Ridglan Farms asserted that the dogs being transferred are healthy and that the facility has extensive inspection documentation. The company expressed hope for the dogs' continued well-being in their new homes and called for an end to what it described as a "years-long harassment campaign" against its owners, staff, and neighbors.