05/28/2026
🇺🇸🐕 A major victory for the beagles of Ridglan Farms.
The USDA has ordered the controversial Wisconsin beagle breeding facility to surrender its federal breeding license by July 1, 2026 – or face official federal action.
This comes after months of protests, national outrage, and a massive rescue effort that has already saved approximately 1,500 beagles.
But the fight is not over.
The background.
Ridglan Farms became the focus of national outrage following large-scale rescue efforts and demonstrations outside the Wisconsin facility in April. During those demonstrations, law enforcement officers deployed tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray, and flashbangs against protesters attempting to rescue the dogs.
The facility has been accused of breeding beagles for laboratory experiments and biomedical research – with dogs living in cramped cages, subjected to surgical procedures without adequate pain relief, and having their vocal flaps cut so they couldn't bark.
What changed.
The USDA has now stepped in. The federal breeding license – which allowed Ridglan to operate – must be surrendered by July 1.
Approximately 1,500 beagles have already been rescued and transferred out of the facility through a massive coordinated effort involving multiple animal welfare organizations.
What hasn't changed.
The loss of the breeding license does not automatically end the onsite research operations still taking place at Ridglan Farms.
Approximately 650 dogs still remain at the facility.
Congressman Mark Pocan says he will continue working with the USDA and NIH in ongoing efforts to shut down the facility completely and help secure homes for the remaining dogs.
What's next.
Animal advocates continue calling for full federal intervention to ensure every remaining dog is safely rescued and rehomed.
The reported involvement of the USDA represents one of the most significant developments yet in the growing effort to permanently close Ridglan Farms for good.
Why this matters.
For years, Ridglan Farms operated in the shadows. Beagles were bred, sold, and experimented on – their suffering hidden behind closed doors.
Now the USDA has acted. The breeding license is being revoked.
But until every dog is out, the work is not done.
A final thought.
1,500 beagles are safe. 650 are still waiting.
The license is gone. The research isn't.
This is progress. But it is not the end.
