BLUE MOUNDS — Police deployed tear gas and pepper spray against hundreds of animal rights activists who attempted to breach Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, on Saturday, and arrested Wayne Hsiung, leader of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs. The facility, located about 25 miles southwest of Madison, is a beagle breeding and research operation that holds an estimated 2,000 dogs.

The Coalition had publicized plans to seize beagles from the facility on Sunday but launched the operation one day earlier than planned. Protesters tried to overcome barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales and a barbed-wire fence. Some got through the fence but were unable to enter the facility.

Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said between 300 and 400 protesters were violently trying to break into the property and assault officers. He said protesters ignored designated areas for peaceful protest and blocked roads to prevent emergency vehicles from entering. "This is not a peaceful protest," Barrett said.

In a statement, Ridglan Farms said a person drove a pickup truck through the front gate of the property, nearly running over police officers and staff, and that the person was arrested. On its website, the company says that no credible evidence of animal abuse, cruelty, mistreatment or neglect at Ridglan Farms has ever been presented or substantiated. The company has denied that it mistreats the animals.

Hsiung posted a picture on his X account of his arrest at the scene. Activist Julie Vrzeski said she felt defeated about three hours into the operation after no dogs had been successfully seized. Activists later moved from the facility to protest outside the jail in downtown Madison.

Saturday's action was the second attempt in as many months by protesters to take beagles from the facility. In March, protesters broke into Ridglan Farms and took 30 dogs, and 27 people were arrested on trespassing and other charges. In October, the company agreed to give up its state breeding license as of July 1 as part of a deal to avoid prosecution on animal mistreatment charges.