Animal welfare organisations have reached an agreement to purchase nearly 1,500 beagles from a Wisconsin dog breeding and research facility, which recently saw violent protests. The deal, confirmed by Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy, involves acquiring the dogs from Ridglan Farms for an undisclosed sum.
The 1,500 beagles are scheduled for transport later this week to partner agencies and to Big Dog Ranch Rescue's facilities in Florida and Alabama. There, they will receive medical examinations, microchipping, and vaccinations before being assessed for adoption. Lauree Simmons, president of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, described the agreement as a 'very big win' and expressed delight at the prospect of finding loving homes for the dogs.
Simmons noted that the beagles will need to learn basic skills such as walking on a leash and living in a home environment. The rescue operates a cage-free, no-kill facility in Loxahatchee, Florida, and guarantees that any dog not successfully adopted can return. The fate of the remaining dogs at Ridglan Farms remains uncertain.
The agreement follows years of activism targeting Ridglan Farms. Earlier this month, about 1,000 activists attempted to enter the facility, leading to clashes with police who used tear gas and rubber bullets. Twenty-nine people were arrested, and five face felony burglary charges. In March, activists broke in and took 30 beagles, with 63 people referred for potential charges.
Ridglan Farms agreed in October to surrender its state breeding license by July 1 to avoid prosecution for animal mistreatment, though it denies wrongdoing. A special prosecutor found that the facility performed eye procedures on dogs that violated veterinary standards.
