Last of 2,000 Beagles Freed From Wisconsin Research Facility
The final 155 dogs from Ridglan Farms were relocated to a Florida rescue, capping a monthslong release that has renewed scrutiny of federal oversight of research-dog breeders.
The last 155 beagles from Ridglan Farms, a Wisconsin facility that bred dogs for biomedical research, have been relocated to a rescue in Florida, completing the release of more than 2,000 dogs from the facility this year.
The transfer comes amid a growing debate over animal testing. USDA records show more than 37,000 dogs were used in U.S. research last year, many supplied by commercial breeders regulated under the federal Animal Welfare Act and state licensing laws.
A CBS News investigation found a sharp gap between state and federal findings at Ridglan. Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection investigated the facility between 2024 and 2025 and identified 494 violations, several involving the humane handling of dogs. In January 2025, a Dane County Circuit Court judge found probable cause that Ridglan had committed crimes under the state's animal cruelty laws and appointed a special prosecutor. Ridglan later agreed to surrender its state license to sell dogs to avoid criminal prosecution, while denying it violated any laws.
Federal inspection records, by contrast, show little trouble: USDA inspectors cited just four violations at the breeding facility and two at the research facility over the past decade, none deemed critical.
"To me that doesn't make any sense," Rep. Mark Pocan, a Wisconsin Democrat, told CBS News. "When you have that amount of state violations, clearly that stood out."
Ridglan said the USDA is the "leading authority" ensuring humane treatment of research animals and that it has a "well documented history of exemplary animal care." The USDA's inspector general has repeatedly flagged weaknesses in oversight of dog breeders over three decades, and a 2025 audit found that inconsistent inspections "may have contributed to the dog breeders' continued violation" of the Animal Welfare Act. The USDA said it works with state officials to "maximize enforcement outcomes" and has taken steps to strengthen oversight.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue, led by founder Lauree Simmons, helped negotiate the release of the more than 2,000 beagles. "This is inhumane," Simmons said of the dogs' treatment. "For me, it's never enough until animal cruelty ends. I'll do this till the day I die."
Former research veterinarian Larry Carbone said animal testing remains important despite advances in alternatives, noting treatments for cancer and HIV were developed using animal research.
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI), in accordance with our editorial policy.
