Ridglan Farms
Closing July 2026Investigation Documentation
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311 DATCP Violations
In September 2025, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) issued 311 violations against Ridglan Farms: 308 counts of mistreating dogs and 3 daily health check failures, with a proposed civil forfeiture of $55,148.50.
The violations span years of documented conditions including cherry eye surgeries performed by unlicensed staff without anesthesia, devocalization procedures, wire mesh flooring causing chronic foot injuries, toxic ammonia levels, solitary confinement producing stereotypic behaviors, and sanitation failures.
The USDA Inspector Problem
The same USDA inspector — Scott Welch — conducted all 28 inspections of Ridglan Farms. When Welch inspected alone, he found violations in only 1 of 25 inspections (4%). When accompanied by Animal Care Specialists, violations were found 100% of the time.
This is not unique to Ridglan. Rise for Animals analysis found that Welch also inspected Envigo's Cumberland facility — the beagle breeding operation that was ultimately shut down by the federal government with a $35M penalty and 70+ violations. Welch found no violations at Envigo either.
2017 Undercover Footage
In April 2017, Wayne Hsiung of Direct Action Everywhere entered Ridglan Farms and documented conditions on video. The footage — admitted as Exhibits 6-13 at the October 2024 evidentiary hearing — shows:
Expert Testimony
“Conditions at Ridglan are 'significantly worse than facilities shut down by the federal government such as Envigo.'”
“Conditions 'torturous for dogs.'”
“The documented conditions constitute chronic psychological distress.”
“Chronic psychological distress consistent with canine PTSD.”