Animal Rights Activists Clash With Police at Beagle Farm

Protesters tried to seize dogs from a research facility in Wisconsin, leading to arrests and confrontations with law enforcement.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 4:33pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a beagle's eye, reflecting the harsh light of a camera flash against a pitch-black background, capturing the intensity and drama of the confrontation between protesters and police without depicting any violence or gore.The confrontation between animal rights activists and law enforcement at a beagle research facility exposes the ongoing tensions over the use of animals in medical experiments.Madison Today

About 1,000 animal welfare activists attempted to gain entry to a beagle breeding and research facility in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, but were turned back by police who fired rubber bullets and pepper spray into the crowd. The protesters were trying to free dogs they say are abused in medical research at the Ridglan Farms facility. Several protesters were arrested, including the group's leader, Wayne Hsiung.

Why it matters

The clash between animal rights activists and law enforcement highlights the ongoing tensions over the use of animals in medical research. While the activists believe the beagles are being mistreated, the facility has denied the allegations and recently agreed to give up its state breeding license to avoid prosecution on animal mistreatment charges.

The details

The protesters tried to overcome barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales, and a barbed-wire fence. Some protesters did get through the fence but were unable to enter the facility, where an estimated 2,000 beagles are kept. The Dane County Sheriff's Department said a "significant" number of people were arrested, and the group's leader, Wayne Hsiung, was among those taken into custody.

  • The protest took place on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • This was the second attempt in as many months by protesters to take beagles from the Ridglan Farms facility.

The players

Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett

The sheriff stated that protesters were "violently trying to break into the property" and assault officers.

Wayne Hsiung

The leader of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, who was arrested during the protest.

Ridglan Farms

The beagle breeding and research facility in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, where the protest took place.

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What they’re saying

“I just feel defeated.”

— Julie Vrzeski, Activist

What’s next

The Dane County Sheriff's Department stated that a "significant" number of people were arrested during the protest. It is likely that the legal proceedings and potential charges against the arrested protesters will be the next steps in this ongoing conflict.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between animal rights activists and the medical research industry over the use of animals in experiments. While the activists believe the beagles are being mistreated, the facility has denied the allegations and recently agreed to give up its state breeding license to avoid prosecution. The clash between the protesters and law enforcement underscores the challenges in finding a resolution to this complex issue.