On April 18, 2026, approximately 1,000 animal welfare activists attempted to gain entry to Ridglan Farms, a beagle breeding and research facility located in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. The protest resulted in clashes with law enforcement, who deployed rubber bullets and pepper spray to disperse the crowd [1][2].
Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett reported that between 300 to 400 protesters were “violently trying to break into the property” and were involved in assaults on officers. The protesters ignored designated areas for peaceful demonstration and blocked roads leading to the facility [1].
Despite breaching the perimeter fence, which was fortified with hay bales, a manure-filled trench, and barbed wire, none of the protesters succeeded in entering the facility itself, where approximately 2,000 beagles are housed [2][3].
Wayne Hsiung, identified as the leader of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, was arrested at the scene. Additionally, a person driving a pickup truck through the front gate was also taken into custody [1][3].
This incident marks the second attempt to breach Ridglan Farms in recent months. In March 2026, activists managed to enter the facility and remove between 22 to 30 beagles, leading to about 27 arrests [4].
Ridglan Farms has denied allegations of animal mistreatment but agreed in October 2025 to surrender its state breeding license effective July 1, 2026. This agreement was part of a settlement to avoid prosecution on charges related to animal mistreatment [2][4].
What Is Known
The protest involved around 1,000 activists, and law enforcement used rubber bullets and pepper spray to manage the situation. The facility houses approximately 2,000 beagles, and previous protests have resulted in the removal of some animals and multiple arrests [1][2][3].
What Remains Unclear
Reports of tear gas use remain unconfirmed, as only some sources mentioned it, while others did not. The full extent of injuries, if any, among protesters and law enforcement has not been detailed [2][3].
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