Animal Activists in Court Demand Special Prosecutor Investigate Beagle Facility
Wayne Hsiung and fellow animal rights activists argued in court for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate a Wisconsin beagle breeding facility, alleging animal cruelty
Los Angeles, Nov 3rd, 2024 — A dramatic and sometimes shocking court hearing unfolded in Madison, Wisconsin, in late October, as famed Open Rescue leader and attorney Wayne Hsiung spearheaded efforts to have a special prosecutor appointed to investigate Ridglan Farms. Hsiung is accusing the massive dog breeding facility of abusing the thousands of beagles it holds, beagles bred to be used in laboratory testing and experimentation. Hsiung, alongside Wisconsin animal rights groups Dane4Dogs and the Alliance for Animals, is pressing for criminal charges against the facility, alleging years of cruelty and neglect. UnchainedTV had a camera in court and brought viewers LIVE coverage of the evidentiary hearing. UnchainedTV host Jane Velez-Mitchell, attorney Mirais Holden and animal activist Tiffany Brunelli provided analysis.
WATCH THE ENTIRE HEARING AND COMMENTARY HERE
WITNESS CLAIMS SURGERY ON DOGS WITHOUT ANESTHESIA BY NON-VETERINARIAN
The witnesses from the petitioners’ side were Wayne Hsiung (animal cruelty investigator and attorney), Scott Gilbertson (former Ridglan employee and whistleblower), Matthew Reich (former Ridglan employee and whistleblower), Dr. Marc Bekoff (expert witness; biologist and animal behaviorist), Dr. Lowell Wickman (expert witness; veterinarian), and Dr. Sherstin Rosenberg (expert witness; veterinarian).
The most shocking testimony came from former employee Gilbertson who testified that he participated in surgical procedures on dogs with swollen tear glands which he said were conducted by a non-veterinarian without anesthesia. “I was told to hold the dog as tight as I could so they wouldn’t wriggle around,” Gilbertson testified. Then, a co-worker, who he said was not a veterinarian, “would take a scissors and also sort of hold the dog down and cut at the eye,” snipping off the swollen tear gland in a process called cherry eye removal. “Immediately afterwards, the dog would be thrashing around in pain, often yelping and crying out. And, then, we’d just put them back in the cage.” Gilbertson added that blood would puddle on the floor.
RIDGLAN FARMS IS INVITED ON ANY TIME TO RESPOND TO TESTIMONY AND OTHER ALLEGATIONS
This court appearance marks a significant development in a long-standing battle. Ridglan Farms, which has been criticized by state inspectors, houses about 3,200 beagles. Despite these concerns, local prosecutors have refused to bring charges, prompting Hsiung and his allies to demand that the facility face legal action.
The hearing comes after a long struggle that began in 2017, when Hsiung and two other activists entered Ridglan Farms with cameras, documenting the conditions inside. The footage, released by Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), showed rows of beagles in cramped, unsanitary cages, some spinning endlessly. Hsiung and his team rescued three beagles they described as being in extreme distress.
Initially, the activists were charged with felony burglary and faced up to 16 years each in prison. However, just days before the trial was set to begin in early March 2024, those charges were unexpectedly dropped. Rather than celebrating the dismissal, Hsiung publicly expressed disappointment, stating that he wanted the case to go to trial to expose the conditions at the facility.
Hsiung’s petition to appoint a special prosecutor hinges on the claim that Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne has refused to take action despite what the activists claim is overwhelming evidence of animal cruelty. The petition cites reports from state inspections, including one from September of 2024.
WATCH UNCHAINEDTV’s INTERVIEW WITH WAYNE HSIUNG AFTER CHARGES AGAINST HIM WERE DROPPED
A LEGAL SLUGFEST IN HEARING AFTER HEARING
Animal rights activists have been trying to obtain more evidence to increase the chance of a successful prosecution, but they have encountered some obstacles. The activists tried to subpoena the facility’s veterinarian and a key manager to obtain critical documents, including medical records and written evidence to back up allegations of animal abuse — such as alleged surgical mutilation of beagles without anesthesia. However, following a hearing on September 12th, Dane County Circuit Judge Rhonda Lanford sided with an attorney for Ridglan Farms in quashing those subpoenas, saying that this would be premature and “inappropriate” before the decision on whether to appoint a special prosecutor is made.
WATCH THE SEPTEMBER 12TH HEARING
What’s Next?
The most recent hearing on October 23rd focused on whether a special prosecutor should be assigned to the case. Hsiung and his team argued that a prosecutor, independent of local politics, is necessary to ensure justice is served. They emphasized that despite repeated attempts to bring the issue to the district attorney’s attention, no charges have been filed, as thousands of beagles remained confirmed there.
At the end of the full-day hearing, Judge Lanford told Hsiung and Dane4Dogs attorneys to summarize the arguments they made in a written document to submit by November 8th. After that, she is expected to rule on whether to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Ridglan for possible criminal violations.
Hsiung vowed to continue fighting for the beagles until the facility is held accountable. The next step hinges on whether Judge Rhonda Lanford will agree to appoint a special prosecutor, a decision expected to come in the coming weeks.
We invite Ridglan Farms and anyone involved in this case to comment.
“I think it went extremely well…multiple journalists came out to me and said this was extremely effective and compelling evidence.”— Wayne Hsiung, attorney
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