Hundreds of animal activists clash with police at Wisconsin beagle facility

Protesters tried to storm the Ridglan Farms breeding site but were met with rubber bullets and pepper spray

Apr. 19, 2026 at 11:23am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a metal barbed wire fence post, casting a dramatic shadow against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the confrontation between protesters and law enforcement at the animal research facility.The violent clash between animal rights activists and police at a Wisconsin beagle research facility exposes the escalating tensions over the use of animals in medical testing.Madison Today

About 1,000 animal welfare activists attempted to break into a beagle breeding and research facility in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin on Saturday, but were turned back by police who fired rubber bullets and pepper spray into the crowd. This was the second attempt in two months by protesters to seize beagles from the Ridglan Farms facility. Several protesters were arrested, including the group's leader, after they tried to overcome barricades and enter the property where an estimated 2,000 beagles are kept.

Why it matters

The clash between protesters and law enforcement highlights the ongoing tensions over animal testing and the treatment of research animals, particularly beagles which are commonly used in medical experiments. The Ridglan Farms facility has faced accusations of animal mistreatment, leading to the company agreeing to give up its state breeding license, though it denies any wrongdoing.

The details

Protesters tried to break through barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales and a barbed-wire fence. Some did get through the fence but were unable to enter the facility. Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said the protesters were 'violently trying to break into the property' and assault officers. A person who 'recklessly' drove a pickup through the front gate was also arrested.

  • The protest occurred on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • Protesters had previously broken into the facility in March 2026 and taken 30 dogs.

The players

Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett

The sheriff who said the 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 that has faced accusations of animal mistreatment.

Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs

The animal welfare activist group that organized the protest to try to seize beagles from the Ridglan Farms facility.

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What they’re saying

“This is not a peaceful protest.”

— Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett

“I just feel defeated.”

— Julie Vrzeski, Activist

What’s next

The sheriff's department said a 'significant' number of people were arrested, and they were still being processed as of the afternoon. Protesters later moved to demonstrate outside the jail in downtown Madison.

The takeaway

This clash highlights the ongoing tensions over animal testing and the treatment of research animals, particularly beagles. While the Ridglan Farms facility has faced accusations of animal mistreatment, the company denies any wrongdoing and has agreed to give up its state breeding license, suggesting the issue remains contentious and unresolved.