Timeline

January 1, 2006investigationRidglan Farms, Blue Mounds, WI
Matthew Reich begins employment at Ridglan Farms
December 31, 2010investigationRidglan Farms
Matthew Reich leaves Ridglan Farms
October 26, 2016inspectionRidglan Farms
DATCP Inspection — flooring issues, stereotypic behaviors

Puppies' feet passing through floor gaps. Stereotypic behaviors noted.

April 15, 2017investigationRidglan Farms
Wayne Hsiung enters Ridglan Farms, documents conditions

Video footage captured showing cages, spinning dogs, wire flooring, devocalized dogs.

May 1, 2018media
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist publishes Ridglan article

Feature-length article using Hsiung's footage.

May 15, 2018complaintMadison, WI
Hsiung contacts DA, Sheriff, Animal Control — no response
December 1, 2021investigationRidglan Farms
Scott Gilbertson begins employment at Ridglan Farms
March 1, 2022investigationRidglan Farms
Scott Gilbertson leaves Ridglan Farms
July 6, 2022inspectionRidglan Farms
DATCP Inspection — rusty cages, ammonia

30% of cages rusty. Inspector nauseated by ammonia levels.

October 1, 2022complaint
Animal Law Firm submits criminal complaint — no response
May 1, 2023complaint
Follow-up complaint to DA — no response
December 5, 2023inspectionRidglan Farms
USDA Inspection — flooring issues in 11 enclosures
March 1, 2024complaint
Additional evidence shared with DA, Sheriff, Animal Control

Including reports from former employees of surgical mutilations.

March 18, 2024complaintMadison, WI
Hsiung delivers complaint in person to DA and Sheriff

Delivered criminal referral from former federal prosecutor.

April 18, 2024hearingDA's Office, Madison, WI
Hsiung and Schrank meet with DA Ozanne

10-minute meeting. Ozanne's response: 'You will hear from us.' No follow-up.

June 6, 2024inspectionRidglan Farms
DATCP Inspection — drainage failure, limping dog
September 12, 2024hearingDane County Circuit Court
DA Ozanne states he never received a 'referral'
September 16, 2024inspectionRidglan Farms
DATCP Inspection — same drainage failure, 3,200 dogs

Same drainage problem three months after citation.

October 22, 2024filing
Open records reveal 983 emails to DA about Ridglan

DA's Office received 983 separate emails asking them to investigate Ridglan.

October 23, 2024hearingDane County Circuit Court
Evidentiary hearing — Petitioners present evidence

Gilbertson, Reich, Hsiung, experts testify. Video and inspection reports admitted.

November 8, 2024filingDane County Circuit Court
Post-Hearing Brief filed

Document 59, Case No. 2024JD000001. Petitioners move for special prosecutor appointment.

January 12, 2025hearingDane County Circuit Court
Judge orders special prosecutor appointed

Court finds probable cause that Ridglan Farms has committed multiple criminal violations of § 951 and that DA Ozanne has refused to prosecute. Orders appointment of special prosecutor.

February 27, 2025enforcement actionDane County Circuit Court
DA Tim Gruenke appointed as special prosecutor

La Crosse County DA Tim Gruenke appointed to investigate potential criminal animal cruelty at Ridglan Farms.

September 4, 2025enforcement actionRidglan Farms
DATCP cites Ridglan for 311 violations, proposes $55K fine

DATCP cites 308 counts of mistreating dogs and 3 counts of failing to perform daily health checks dating back to 2022. Most violations involve cherry eye surgery without anesthetic. $55,148.50 in proposed fines.

September 30, 2025enforcement actionMadison, WI
Lead vet Richard Van Domelen's license suspended

Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board unanimously votes to suspend Van Domelen's license for delegating cherry eye surgeries to unlicensed employees. Earlier conditional permission revoked after surprise inspection found record-keeping problems.

October 28, 2025filingDane County Circuit Court
Settlement: Ridglan to surrender license by July 2026

Special prosecutor Gruenke reaches settlement with Ridglan. Ridglan will surrender its DATCP license to sell dogs for research by July 1, 2026. Criminal charges not filed. Ridglan may keep 84 beagles for internal research only.

March 15, 2026investigationRidglan Farms, Blue Mounds, WI
Open rescue: ~22 beagles freed, 27 activists arrested

Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs. ~100 activists march to Ridglan, a smaller group enters and removes ~22 beagles. Police intercept vans. 27 arrested including Wayne Hsiung and actress Alexandra Paul. Activists released March 17.

2025enforcement actionRidglan Farms
DATCP launches probe into Ridglan Farms

Wisconsin DATCP opens formal investigation into conditions at Ridglan.