In Wisconsin, months after a demonstration with animal rights activists led to a viral confrontation with police and the sale of thousands of beagles from an animal supplier for laboratories, Ridglan Farms, announced a new agreement with animal rescue group Big Dog Ranch Rescue to secure the sale of its 475 remaining dogs to the rescue and the closure of the facility before the end of the year.
"They will be loved on, medically treated, spayed and neutered, learned to walk on a leash, and placed on a path to adoption and loving homes across this country," says Big Dog Ranch Rescue founder Lauree Simmons.
Simmons said Monday the remaining beagles, mostly young puppies, will be released over the next six weeks to begin the rest of their lives, saying it fulfills their promise of "no dog left behind." Out-cue: this country.
Ridglan Farms released a statement confirming the decision Monday, asking that upon the release of the dogs, that the "years-long harassment campaign targeting the research facility's owners, staff and neighbors" comes to an end.
"With this agreement, Big Dog Ranch Rescue will have completed the full rescue and relocation of 2110 beagles," Simmons adds.
Yearslong opposition to the facility came to head in April when a large group of animal welfare activists stormed the property in an attempt to take away beagles, prompting police to use tear gas and pepper spray as they made dozens of arrests.
Some protesters were also arrested in March after they broke in and took 30 dogs from the facility, which is located in Blue Mounds, a small town about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of the capital, Madison.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue said some of the beagles will go to rescue groups while others will be sent to its Florida and Alabama campuses where they will be spayed, neutered, and prepared for adoption.
The group bought roughly 1,500 of the facility’s more than 2,000 beagles in April for an undisclosed price.
About 200 dogs were being transferred Monday, according to Simmons. Another 125 will be moved Tuesday. The transfer of the remaining beagles will happen in August, as they are still puppies.
Simmons called on protesters to refrain from further demonstrations as it says Ridglan Farms has committed to permanently closing its dog breeding, sales, research and testing operations.
“Our focus now should be on supporting these dogs as they transition into their new lives,” Simmons said. “These dogs will get to experience safety and a normal life for the first time.”
Simmons said her group is also “working closely” with the Trump administration to stop funding studies that subject dogs to “invasive and painful experimentation.”
Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., called Monday’s deal a “major win for animal welfare” in a post on X.
Ridglan Farms, in a statement, said all the dogs being transferred are “happy, healthy animals” with “extensive” state and federal inspection documentation.
“We hope these dogs will continue to flourish in their new homes,” the company said, adding that it hopes that the “years-long harassment campaign targeting the research facility’s owners, staff and neighbors comes to an end.”
Animal activists for years had sought to have dogs at the facility adopted, not sold to other research facilities.
Beagles are the most common breed of dog used for animal testing, primarily because of their smaller size and gentle temperament, according to Big Dog Ranch Rescue.
Ridglan Farms agreed in October to give up its state breeding license as of July 1 as part of a deal to avoid prosecution on felony animal mistreatment charges.
The firm has denied mistreating animals, but a special prosecutor determined that Ridglan Farms was performing eye procedures that violated state veterinary standards.
