Ridglan Farms
Closing July 2026Blue Mounds, Dane County, Wisconsin — USDA Class A Breeder + Class R Research Facility
~3,200 dogs16 employeesOperating since 1960s311 DATCP violations$55K fine
Sources
17 primary and secondary sources for the Ridglan investigation.
Court Filing2024Primary
Post-Hearing Brief — Case No. 2024JD000001
33-page brief filed November 8, 2024 in Dane County Circuit Court. Contains testimony summaries, exhibit references, and legal analysis.
Court Order2025Primary
Special Prosecutor Appointment Order
January 2025. Court finds probable cause of multiple criminal violations under § 951.
Settlement2025Primary
Settlement Agreement — Gruenke / Ridglan Farms
October 28, 2025. Ridglan surrenders DATCP license by July 1, 2026.
Inspection Report2016Primary
DATCP Inspection — October 26, 2016 (Ex. 14)
Flooring issues, stereotypic behaviors.
Inspection Report2022Primary
DATCP Inspection — July 6, 2022 (Ex. 16)
Rusty cages, ammonia levels causing inspector nausea.
Inspection Report2023Primary
USDA Inspection — December 5, 2023 (Ex. 17)
Puppies' feet through flooring in 11 enclosures.
Inspection Report2024Primary
DATCP Inspection — June 6, 2024 (Ex. 18)
Drainage failure, limping dog, no documentation.
Inspection Report2024Primary
DATCP Inspection — September 16, 2024 (Ex. 19)
Same drainage failure. 3,200 dogs, 16 employees.
Enforcement2025Primary
DATCP Citation — 311 Violations
308 counts mistreatment + 3 daily health check failures. $55,148.50 proposed fine.
Enforcement2025Primary
VEB License Suspension — Van Domelen
Unanimous vote September 30, 2025. Delegated surgeries to unlicensed staff.
Testimony2024Primary
Evidentiary Hearing Transcript — Oct 23, 2024
Gilbertson, Reich, Hsiung testimony. 26 exhibits admitted.
Video2017Primary
Hsiung Investigation Footage — April 2017
Exhibits 6-13: confinement, spinning dogs, flooring, devocalized dogs.
Open Records2024Primary
DA Office Communications re: Ridglan
Revealed 983 emails to DA about Ridglan. No response to any.
Analysis2025Secondary
Rise for Animals — USDA Inspector Analysis
All 28 inspections by same VMO. Violation rates by configuration.
News2018Secondary
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist feature article
Feature-length article using Hsiung's footage.
Expert Declaration2024Primary
Dr. McConnell — Sworn Declaration (Ex. 26)
Conditions 'torturous for dogs.'
Expert Declaration2024Primary
Dr. Lopresti-Goodman — Declaration (Ex. 27)
Chronic psychological distress, canine PTSD.