Animal rights organization intends to break into Wisconsin breeding site to rescue 2,000 beagles

Activists Target Breeding Facility in Wisconsin

A large group of animal rights activists recently planned to invade a controversial breeding facility in Wisconsin, with the intent to release around 2,000 beagles housed there. They publicly characterized any police actions as “illegal.” The event is slated for April 19 at Ridge Run Farms, which breeds beagles primarily for research purposes.

According to organizers, a mix of local and international activists is gearing up for this operation. Public registrations indicate that over 1,700 participants are expected to join. Despite their stated commitment to non-violence, the facility is concerned about the possibility of significant damage, estimating potential losses at around $6 million.

The organizers cautioned attendees about the risk of arrest and felony charges, despite their belief that they were acting in the best interest of the dogs.

In a previous incident, an actress, Alexandra Paul, participated in a smaller raid that resulted in the rescue of 23 dogs. This time, though, the group has been more vocal about their intentions and has urged law enforcement to “enforce the law and protect dogs.”

Wayne Shun, one of the coordinators, made strong statements about protecting the beagles, asserting that nothing would stop them from liberating all the dogs if they faced police opposition. “If the police try to stop us illegally, we will protect each other from their attempts to harm our dogs,” he said in a blog post.

Lisa Castagnozzi, another leader in the movement, recounted her emotional experience during a past raid, describing the distressing sounds of hundreds of beagles contained in a windowless area as a “wall of screams.” Following that break-in, the facility reinforced its property with wire fencing and hay bales to prevent future incursions.

While Ridge Run Farms has a legal permit to breed dogs, it has been embroiled in various controversy over allegations of animal cruelty. Former employees have claimed that the beagles were subjected to mistreatment, including undergoing surgeries without proper anesthetics. A special prosecutor’s investigation validated some of these claims, confirming they constituted violations of veterinary standards.

The facility has agreed to relinquish its state breeding license by July 1, 2026, effectively ceasing the sale of dogs to external researchers. However, it retains the ability to continue breeding for its internal studies.