1,500 rescued beagles find new homes after lab facility shuts down
Around 1,500 beagles bred for biomedical research are being rehomed after a Wisconsin facility lost its licence. Ridglan Farms, a state-approved breeder, was found to have mistreated the dogs during experiments. The animals, now in good health, will be relocated by the end of next week. Ridglan Farms was ordered to surrender its breeding licence by July, stopping all sales to outside laboratories. The decision followed an investigation by a special prosecutor, who confirmed the dogs had suffered mistreatment during procedures.
Activists have repeatedly tried to enter the facility to remove the beagles. In April, clashes erupted when protesters attempted to take more dogs. Police and security guards responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The 1,500 beagles, ranging from puppies to older adults, are now being placed in new homes. Big Dog Ranch Rescue has purchased 1,000 of them and is coordinating adoptions. The remaining 500 will be rehomed through the Beagle Freedom Project. All the beagles are expected to leave Ridglan Farms within days. The facility will no longer operate as a breeding centre for research. The dogs, described as healthy, will now move to permanent homes across the country.
