Dog lovers brave tear gas and pepper spray to free caged beagles

In Wisconsin, there was a breeding and research facility, Ridglan Farms.

The testing facility has been under the scanner for quite a few years.

For example, a routine inspection in June 2024 uncovered several issues, and a follow-up visit a few months later resulted in "twice as many violations."

Given these animal care violations, an uproar was sparked among rescuers.

Then, in Jan 2025, a judge appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the complaints.

However, tensions among animal welfare activists were boiling over.

As a result, some rescuers allegedly broke into the company's property and took away 30 beagle dogs in March this year.

Weeks later, a larger group made a second attempt to carry out a mass rescue.

This led police to take action as they employed tear gas and pepper spray to disperse the activists while dozens were arrested.

In response, Ridglan Farms announced it would end its breeding license in July 2026 to avoid charges.

Now the dogs are finally being transferred to shelters.

The first wave was started by Big Dog Ranch Rescue, a Florida-based shelter, which purchased 1,500 beagles, leaving behind 475 dogs.

But they are on the move soon; 325 canines will head out this week, while the remaining 150 will leave in August.