Index

Ridglan Farms

Closing July 2026
Blue Mounds, Dane County, Wisconsin — USDA Class A Breeder + Class R Research Facility
~3,200 dogs16 employeesOperating since 1960s311 DATCP violations$55K fine
OverviewConditionsTimelineEvidenceLegalPeopleSources
311
DATCP violations
Sep 2025
$55,148
proposed fine
civil forfeiture
Jul 2026
license surrender
settlement deadline
84
dogs retained
for internal research

The Special Prosecutor

After the Dane County DA refused to prosecute Ridglan for six years despite receiving 983 emails and multiple criminal referrals, petitioners used a rarely invoked Wisconsin mechanism: § 968.02(3), which allows a circuit judge to appoint a special prosecutor when a DA refuses to issue a complaint and probable cause exists.

The petition was filed in March 2024 by Dane4Dogs Ltd. and Wayne Hsiung, with legal representation from the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. An evidentiary hearing on October 23, 2024 produced testimony from former employees and expert witnesses, with 26 exhibits admitted.

On January 9, 2025, the court granted the petition, finding that the DA had failed to act despite repeated submissions of evidence beginning in May 2018, and that probable cause existed for multiple criminal violations under § 951. Tim Gruenke, the La Crosse County DA, was appointed as special prosecutor on February 27, 2025.

Key Finding
The special prosecutor mechanism (§ 968.02(3)) is now a proven template for animal welfare enforcement in Wisconsin. When federal USDA inspectors fail to act and local DAs refuse to prosecute, citizens can petition a judge directly. The Ridglan case is the first time this mechanism has been successfully used in a major animal welfare case — it sets precedent for every future case in the state.

The Settlement (October 28, 2025)

The agreement between special prosecutor Tim Gruenke and Ridglan Farms requires:

License surrender by July 1, 2026
Ridglan must relinquish its Wisconsin DATCP breeding license. This is the state-level license — not the federal USDA license.
May continue selling dogs until July 1
The settlement allows Ridglan to sell remaining dogs into research pipelines before the deadline — a critical gap that the coalition is monitoring.
No criminal charges
The special prosecutor agreed not to file criminal charges in exchange for the license surrender. This means the felony mutilation and misdemeanor cruelty charges identified in the Post-Hearing Brief will not be prosecuted.
May retain ~84 dogs for internal research
Ridglan can keep approximately 84 beagles for its own research operations under the separate federal license.
Federal license loophole
Ridglan has indicated intent to continue operating under its separate USDA federal license. The state settlement does not cover this license — meaning Ridglan could theoretically continue some operations after July 2026.
No admission of liability
Ridglan does not admit criminal or civil liability under the settlement terms.

Potential Criminal Charges (from Post-Hearing Brief)

These charges were identified with supporting evidence but will not be prosecuted under the settlement.

Critical§ 951.02 (Felony)

Mistreating Animals — Mutilation

Cherry eye and devocalization surgeries by non-vets without anesthesia, resulting in mutilation/disfigurement. Class I felony. All 4 statutory elements met per expert testimony.
High§ 951.02 (Misdemeanor)

Mistreating Animals — Wire Flooring

Wire mesh flooring systematically causing foot injuries. Ridglan made aware through inspections in 2016, 2022, 2023, 2024 but never fixed. Class A misdemeanor.
High§ 951.14 (Misdemeanor)

Failing to Provide Proper Shelter

Four categories: (1) toxic ammonia/ventilation, (2) rusty/unsound cages, (3) inadequate space with stereotypic behaviors, (4) sanitation failure/fecal buildup. Class A misdemeanor.
Moderate§ 968.02(3)

Special Prosecutor Provision

Wisconsin statute allowing a circuit judge to appoint a special prosecutor when a DA refuses to prosecute and probable cause exists. Both prongs met: DA refused (6+ years of inaction), probable cause established through testimony and records.

Wisconsin Beagle Freedom Bill

Dane4Dogs has been advocating for Wisconsin's “Beagle Freedom Bill” — legislation to require post-study adoption of research animals:

Aug 18, 2025Co-sponsorship memo circulated
Sep 4, 2025Senate Bill 414 and Assembly Bill 436 formally introduced
Jan 27, 2026Public hearing held
Jan 22, 2026Weakening amendments introduced — Dane4Dogs publicly opposes

Ridglan's Failed Lawsuit Against Dane4Dogs

In April 2025, Ridglan Farms filed a civil lawsuit against Dane4Dogs and named individuals. Dane4Dogs reports the lawsuit was framed with “extortion”-styled claims. A Dane County judge dismissed the case with prejudice on January 20, 2026 — meaning it cannot be refiled.

Methodology Caveat
The dismissal with prejudice is significant: it means the court found no merit in Ridglan's claims that the advocacy campaign against it constituted actionable harm. This removes a legal risk that could have chilled similar campaigns against other facilities.

The Nonhuman Rights Lawsuit (February 2026)

In February 2026, the Nonhuman Rights Project and the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project filed a lawsuit described as a habeas-style claim seeking the release of Ridglan dogs. Dane4Dogs frames this as a “groundbreaking” effort to enforce a right to be free from cruelty. The legal theory — that animals can be the subject of habeas corpus relief — would, if successful, represent a fundamental expansion of legal personhood.

7 Municipal Bans on Dog/Cat Experimentation

Dane4Dogs reports helping pass municipal laws banning the sale of dogs and cats for experimentation in seven Wisconsin cities. In some jurisdictions, the bans cover all animal experimentation. The Richland Center ordinance was publicly praised in 2020 by the HSUS Wisconsin affiliate, which thanked Dane4Dogs for “leading the way.”

These local ordinances build community-level precedent and demonstrate public support — even in jurisdictions outside Dane County — creating a political foundation for the state-level Beagle Freedom Bill.