Activists Clash with Police in Failed Attempt to Free Beagles from Wisconsin Facility

Protesters were arrested and pepper-sprayed as they tried to break into a licensed beagle breeding facility.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:54pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged metal fence post or gate, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The aftermath of a clash between animal rights activists and law enforcement at a licensed beagle breeding facility in Wisconsin.Dane Today

Around 300-400 animal activists attempted to forcibly remove over 2,000 beagles from a licensed breeding facility in Blue Mountain, Wisconsin on Saturday. The protesters were met with law enforcement and private security, leading to arrests, pepper-spraying, and the use of rubber bullets and tear gas. While 26 people were arrested, no dogs were successfully taken from the facility.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between animal rights activists and biomedical research facilities that breed animals for testing. The activists view the facility's practices as abusive, while the company denies any wrongdoing. The clash raises questions about the limits of civil disobedience and the balance between animal welfare and scientific research.

The details

Activists had planned the action for weeks, but law enforcement and the Ridglan Farms facility were prepared. During the protest, activists blocked emergency services on the road outside and one activist was arrested for driving a pickup truck through a fence, nearly running over security, police, and bystanders. The New York Times reported that about 1,000 activists participated in the 'failed raid', which ended when law enforcement and private security fired rubber bullets and tear gas at the protesters.

  • The protest took place on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • In March 2026, a group organized under the Direct Action Everywhere banner previously broke into the facility and took 22 beagles, which were later adopted.

The players

Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett

The sheriff who oversaw the law enforcement response to the protest.

Ridglan Farms

The licensed beagle breeding facility in Blue Mountain, Wisconsin that was the target of the protest.

Direct Action Everywhere

The activist group that previously broke into the Ridglan Farms facility and took 22 beagles in March 2026.

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What they’re saying

“About two dozen animal activists were arrested, while more were pepper-sprayed as they attempted to free beagles from a Wisconsin facility licensed to breed them for biomedical testing.”

— Karen Butler, Author

“Activists were violently trying to break in and we had to respond accordingly to protect the safety of everyone involved.”

— Kalvin Barrett, Dane County Sheriff

What’s next

The appointed special prosecutor who accused the Ridglan Farms facility of animal abuse last year will continue to monitor the situation as the facility surrenders its breeding license by July 1 to avoid prosecution.

The takeaway

This clash between animal rights activists and a licensed biomedical research facility highlights the ongoing tensions over the ethics of animal testing. While the activists view the facility's practices as abusive, the company denies any wrongdoing. The incident raises difficult questions about the balance between animal welfare and scientific research that will likely continue to be debated.