TOWN OF BLUE MOUNDS — Hundreds of animal rights activists attempted to break into a town of Blue Mounds beagle breeding and research facility Saturday — a day earlier than announced — but were repelled by a heavy law enforcement presence.
Activists are tear gassed as they attempt to storm the grounds of Ridglan Farms on Saturday.
People are also reading…
A Wisconsin State Patrol officer points a can of mace at activists as officers make way for a police van to leave the grounds of Ridglan Farms Saturday.
Animal rights activists block law enforcement vehicles near Ridglan Farms Saturday. In a video statement Saturday, Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said activists have a First Amendment right to protest, but added, “This is not a peaceful protest.”
An activists is treated after being affected by tear gas during an attempt to storm the grounds of Ridglan Farms. Some activists got through a perimeter fence but were unable to get into the buildings where the dogs are housed.
Animal rights activists attempt to break into the Ridglan Farms beagle breeding and research facility in the town of Blue Mounds Saturday. To deter the raid, the company dug a trench partially filled with manure and erected a barricade of round hay bales.
Waves of tear gas: Peaceful animal lovers are being tear gassed, pepper sprayed, and fired at with rubber bullets at Ridglan Farms. At least a dozen activists have been arrested. Hundreds of others are on the property now trying to rescue the dogs. pic.twitter.com/7JYg8S2XhP
— Wayne Hsiung (@waynehhsiung) April 18, 2026
Activists said they hoped to raise awareness about animal testing and shut down the town of Blue Mounds farm. Ridglan says it abides by strict state and federal regulations and “no court, agency or investigator has ever made a finding of animal cruelty.”
Photos: Animal activists attempt to storm Ridglan Farms
Activists help an elderly woman after she had been tear gassed during an attempt to storm the grounds of Ridglan Farms on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Blue Mounds, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Activists are tear gassed as they attempt to storm the grounds of Ridglan Farms on Saturday.
Law enforcement in riot gear walk in a field after helping stop an attempt to storm the grounds of Ridglan Farms on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Blue Mounds, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Activists cheer on other activists arrested in the back of a law enforcement van after they attempted to storm the grounds of Ridglan Farms on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Blue Mounds, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Activists prepare their things before heading to the fence to storm the grounds of Ridglan Farms on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Blue Mounds, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Activists move ladders away from the fence of Ridglan Farms after an attempt to storm the grounds on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Blue Mounds, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
An activists is treated after being affected by tear gas during an attempt to storm the grounds of Ridglan Farms. Some activists got through a perimeter fence but were unable to get into the buildings where the dogs are housed.
Activists gather outside of Ridglan Farms after attempting to storm the farm grounds on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Blue Mounds, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Activists attempt to storm the grounds of Ridglan Farms on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Blue Mounds, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
An activist has saline solution poured in their eyes after they were irritated by tear gas shot at the crowd attempting to storm the grounds of Ridglan Farms on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Blue Mounds, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
A Wisconsin State Patrol officer points a can of mace at activists as officers make way for a police van to leave the grounds of Ridglan Farms Saturday.
Wisconsin State Patrol officers clear the way for a law enforcement van on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Blue Mounds, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Activists make their way down Erbe Rd. to storm the grounds of Ridglan Farms on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in Blue Mounds, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Animal rights activists attempt to break into Ridglan Farms beagle breeding and research facility in the town of Blue Mounds, Wis. Saturday, April 18, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Animal rights activists attempt to break into the Ridglan Farms beagle breeding and research facility in the town of Blue Mounds Saturday. To deter the raid, the company dug a trench partially filled with manure and erected a barricade of round hay bales.
Animal rights activists attempt to break into Ridglan Farms beagle breeding and research facility in the town of Blue Mounds, Wis. Saturday, April 18, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Animal rights activists attempt to break into Ridglan Farms beagle breeding and research facility in the town of Blue Mounds, Wis. Saturday, April 18, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Animal rights activists attempt to break into Ridglan Farms beagle breeding and research facility in the town of Blue Mounds, Wis. Saturday, April 18, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Animal rights activists block law enforcement vehicles near Ridglan Farms Saturday. In a video statement Saturday, Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said activists have a First Amendment right to protest, but added, “This is not a peaceful protest.”
Activists said they hoped to raise awareness about animal testing and shut down the town of Blue Mounds farm. Ridglan says it abides by strict state and federal regulations and “no court, agency or investigator has ever made a finding of animal cruelty.”
Animal rights activists attempt to break into Ridglan Farms beagle breeding and research facility in the town of Blue Mounds, Wis. Saturday, April 18, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Animal rights activists attempt to break into Ridglan Farms beagle breeding and research facility in the town of Blue Mounds, Wis. Saturday, April 18, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Animal rights activists attempt to break into Ridglan Farms beagle breeding and research facility in the town of Blue Mounds, Wis. Saturday, April 18, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
An animal rights activist is treated after getting tear gassed at Ridglan Farms beagle breeding and research facility in the town of Blue Mounds, Wis. Saturday, April 18, 2026. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Waves of tear gas: Peaceful animal lovers are being tear gassed, pepper sprayed, and fired at with rubber bullets at Ridglan Farms. At least a dozen activists have been arrested. Hundreds of others are on the property now trying to rescue the dogs. pic.twitter.com/7JYg8S2XhP
— Wayne Hsiung (@waynehhsiung) April 18, 2026
