Wisconsin Charges 47 in Beagle Lab Break-In After 22 Dogs Were Taken
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 8
Wisconsin Charges 47 in Beagle Lab Break-In After 22 Dogs Were Taken
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 8
Summary
Dane County prosecutors filed felony burglary charges against at least 47 people over a March 15 break-in at Ridglan Farms near Madison that ended with 22 beagles removed.
The complaint says the group spent weeks planning the raid—recruiting participants, scouting the site and buying saws, mallets and protective gear—before cutting fences, breaking a window and livestreaming the action.
Four people accused of playing major roles had already been charged in April and face additional counts, while the others each face up to 12.5 years in prison.
The defendants include members of a national animal-rights group from 19 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada, underscoring how the case has widened scrutiny of animal testing practices.
Ridglan Farms, which breeds beagles for veterinary research and denies abuse allegations, is already winding down operations after repeated protests and earlier attempts to remove dogs.