MADISON, Wis. — About 25 people were arrested after hundreds of animal welfare activists attempted to enter a beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin over the weekend, authorities said on Sunday.
The arrests occurred on Saturday at Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, where roughly 1,000 demonstrators gathered in what officials described as an effort to breach the property. Law enforcement officers responded with pepper spray and rubber bullets as some protesters tried to overcome barriers and enter the site, according to the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said in a statement that between 300 and 400 individuals were “violently trying to break into the property,” adding that some protesters ignored designated demonstration areas and blocked access routes needed for emergency vehicles.
Authorities said most of those arrested were cited and released, while at least one individual, identified by officials as an organizer, faced a tentative felony charge related to the incident. Details of additional charges remained unclear.
The facility houses an estimated 2,000 beagles used in research and breeding, according to local reports. Protesters have alleged mistreatment of animals at the site, while the company has denied those claims, stating that no verified evidence of abuse has been substantiated.
In a statement from custody, one activist said the actions were intended as a rescue effort. “No one should be assaulted for giving aid to a dog,” the individual said, while criticizing the police response.
Law enforcement officials rejected that characterization, emphasizing that officers were responding to what they described as unlawful entry attempts. “We are happy to support anyone who wants to exercise the right to protest, as long as they do so lawfully,” Barrett said, referring to demonstrations that continued on Sunday.
Authorities reported that a smaller group of about 200 people gathered peacefully near the facility the following day, and the situation was described as “significantly calmer.” The crowd dispersed after a short period without further incident, officials said.
The protest marked the second such attempt in recent months. In March, activists entered the same facility and removed several dogs, with multiple arrests reported at that time, according to officials.
Ridglan Farms previously agreed to surrender its state breeding license as part of a legal settlement tied to earlier allegations, though it has continued to deny wrongdoing.
As of Monday, authorities said investigations into Saturday’s events were ongoing, and additional charges could be considered as evidence is reviewed.
