Ridglan Farms
The nation's second-largest research dog breeder — Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. Operating since the 1960s. 311 state violations, lead vet's license suspended, and a settlement requiring license surrender by July 2026. The facility that triggered a special prosecutor and a movement.
Ridglan Farms, Inc. is a beagle breeding facility in Blue Mounds, Dane County, Wisconsin. It has operated since the 1960s and was the nation's second-largest research dog breeder until a 2025 settlement required it to surrender its license by July 1, 2026.
The Facility
- Location — Blue Mounds, Town of Blue Mounds, Dane County, Wisconsin
- Founded — 1960s. One of the longest-operating purpose-bred laboratory animal suppliers in the United States.
- USDA licenses — Class A (breeder) and Class R (research facility). Also claimed AAALAC International accreditation.
- Scale — approximately 3,200 beagles and 16 full-time employees as of September 2024.1
- Lead veterinarian and facility manager — Dr. Richard Van Domelen, D.V.M.
- Business — bred beagles for sale to pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and laboratories for use in preclinical toxicology and safety testing
Three of the sixteen employees' primary duties were dog socialization — averaging approximately two minutes per dog per week.2
What Was Documented
Surgeries by Non-Veterinarians
Cherry eye removal and devocalization surgeries were performed by unlicensed employees (Leah Staley, Jim Hiltbrandt, Al Olson) without anesthesia, blood control, or aftercare. Two former employees — Scott Gilbertson (2021-22) and Matthew Reich (2006-2010) — testified under oath about these practices.3
Gilbertson testified: "The dog would be thrashing around in pain, often yelping, crying out. Then we just put them back in the cage."
Devocalization was performed on 30-40 dogs at a time on a monthly basis. Dogs were given a paralytic agent but no anesthesia before their vocal cords were cut and removed.4
Living Conditions
- Wire mesh flooring causing systematic foot injuries — interdigital cysts, lacerations, infections — documented by employees, investigators, and inspectors from 2006 through 20245
- Toxic ammonia levels — a DATCP inspector in July 2022 experienced nausea and hours-long throat irritation6
- Solitary confinement — dogs housed alone in small stacked cages, never taken on walks, never let outside
- Stereotypic behaviors — spinning, pacing, wall-bouncing documented by DATCP in 2016 and on video in 20177
- Fecal buildup — drainage systems repeatedly cited for failure to eliminate waste (June and September 2024)8
- Dog-on-dog violence — Reich testified about a dead dog whose body cavity had been partially devoured by cage-mates9
The USDA Inspector Problem
All 28 of Ridglan's USDA inspection records were prepared by the same Veterinary Medical Officer: Scott Welch.10
| Configuration | Violation Rate |
|---|---|
| Welch inspecting alone | 4% (1 of ~25) |
| Welch with other USDA staff | 50% |
| Welch with Animal Care Specialists | 100% |
| **USDA total: no violations recorded** | **25 of 28 inspections** |
During the same years, state regulators (DATCP) found 311 violations at the same facility.11
Timeline of Enforcement
- April 2017 — Wayne Hsiung enters Ridglan, documents conditions on video
- May 2018 — Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist publishes feature article. Hsiung contacts DA, Sheriff, Animal Control. No response from any agency.
- October 2022 — The Animal Law Firm submits criminal complaint. No response.
- April 2024 — Hsiung and attorney Kristin Schrank meet DA Ozanne. His response: "You will hear from us." No follow-up.
- October 2024 — Open records reveal DA received 983 emails about Ridglan. Evidentiary hearing held October 23.
- January 2025 — Dane County judge orders appointment of special prosecutor, finding probable cause of multiple criminal violations
- February 2025 — La Crosse County DA Tim Gruenke appointed as special prosecutor
- September 2025 — DATCP cites Ridglan for 311 violations (308 mistreatment + 3 daily health check failures), proposing $55,148.50 in fines. Veterinary Examining Board unanimously suspends Van Domelen's license.
- October 28, 2025 — Settlement: Ridglan surrenders license to sell dogs by July 1, 2026. No criminal charges filed. May retain ~84 beagles for internal research.
- March 15, 2026 — Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs: ~100 activists march to facility, ~22 beagles removed. 27 arrested including Hsiung and actress Alexandra Paul.
Read the full investigation narrative →
What Ridglan Can Still Do
Under the settlement, Ridglan does not admit criminal or civil liability. After July 1, 2026, it may no longer sell beagles to outside researchers. However, it may retain approximately 84 beagles for internal research conducted at the facility on behalf of contracted clients.12
Significance
Ridglan's closure leaves Marshall BioResources as the near-monopoly supplier of purpose-bred beagles in the United States. Combined with the Envigo shutdown in 2022, two of the three major US breeders will have exited the market within four years.
Sources
- 1.DATCP Inspection Report, September 16, 2024. 3,200 dogs, 16 employees.
- 2.DATCP Inspection Report, September 16, 2024. Three of sixteen employees' duties primarily consist of dog socialization.
- 3.Post-Hearing Brief, Case No. 2024JD000001, November 8, 2024. Gilbertson and Reich testimony.
- 4.Post-Hearing Brief. Reich testimony on devocalization.
- 5.DATCP Inspection Reports (2016, 2022, 2024); USDA Inspection Report (2023).
- 6.DATCP Inspection Report, July 6, 2022.
- 7.DATCP Inspection Report, October 26, 2016; Investigation video, April 2017.
- 8.DATCP Inspection Reports, June 6 and September 16, 2024.
- 9.Post-Hearing Brief. Reich testimony.
- 10.Rise for Animals analysis of USDA inspection records.
- 11.DATCP citation, September 2025. 311 violations, $55,148.50 proposed fine.
- 12.Settlement agreement, October 28, 2025.