I. The Surgeries

Cherry Eye Removal

"Cherry eye" is the common term for prolapse of the nictitating membrane gland — the third eyelid. It is a medical condition requiring veterinary treatment. The proper response is either medication or a delicate surgical procedure in which the membrane is tucked back under the eye.

At Ridglan, the procedure was different.

Scott Gilbertson, a former employee who worked at Ridglan in the winter of 2021-22, testified that he participated in cherry eye removal surgeries as part of his employment duties. He held down the dog while another employee, Leah Staley, cut an eye gland from the dog without anesthesia, blood control, or aftercare.

"The dog would be thrashing around in pain, often yelping, crying out. Then we just put them back in the cage."

He also testified that the procedure caused substantial bleeding: "There would usually be a puddle on the floor — a pretty good size puddle." He saw these surgeries performed on a near daily basis.

Matthew Reich, who worked at Ridglan from 2006 to 2010, testified to the same practice. He held down dogs while Jim Hiltbrandt or Al Olson conducted the same procedure — again without anesthesia, blood control, or aftercare, on a near daily basis.

"It would bleed profusely for several minutes. Sometimes it would start pouring onto my hand before I even let go of the dog." The dog would then "go to the side of the cage where their neighbor was and the other dog would lick the blood off them. It was a very graphic scene."

Devocalization

Reich also testified that he witnessed "devocalization surgeries" — in which dogs were given a paralytic agent but no anesthesia — and then Jim Hiltbrandt or Al Olson cut and removed their vocal cords. The dogs were not given pain relief or other care after these procedures. He saw this procedure conducted for thirty to forty dogs at a time on a monthly basis.

Not Veterinarians

Dr. Lowell Wickman, a Wisconsin-based licensed veterinarian, testified that he reviewed the state's list of licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Leah Staley, Jim Hiltbrandt, and Al Olson were not on the list. These individuals who conducted cherry eye and devocalization surgeries at Ridglan were not veterinarians or veterinary technicians.

Wisconsin Administrative Code VE 1.44 provides that "performing surgery, which means any procedure in which the skin or tissue of the patient is penetrated or severed" "may not be delegated to or performed by veterinary technicians or other persons not holding" a veterinary license.

Expert Opinion

Dr. Sherstin Rosenberg, a licensed veterinarian, testified that:
- The cherry eye procedure causes unnecessary and excessive pain because the eye is a highly sensitive organ
- Failure to use anesthesia, blood control, or aftercare is completely inconsistent with normal and accepted veterinary practices
- The wholesale removal of the nictitating membrane leaves dogs with a chronic painful condition known as "dry eye"
- The devocalization procedure causes unnecessary and excessive pain and suffering and is unnecessary because alternatives exist
- Both procedures, as conducted by Ridglan, amount to mutilation

The American Veterinary Medical Association strongly discourages devocalization procedures. Surgeries by non-veterinarians without anesthesia or aftercare are always improper.