BLUE MOUNDS, WISCONSIN — Ridglan Farms, a beagle breeding and research facility in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, is permanently closing. Big Dog Ranch Rescue reached an agreement to permanently close the facility and transfer its remaining dogs.

As part of the agreement, the facility agreed in October to surrender its state breeding license by July 1. This action was taken to avoid prosecution on felony animal mistreatment charges. The facility denied allegations of animal mistreatment.

Approximately 475 beagles remain at the facility and are being transferred to rescue organizations starting soon. Roughly 200 beagles were transferred on Monday, and an additional 125 were scheduled for Tuesday. The transferred beagles will be relocated to rescue campuses in Florida and Alabama for spaying, neutering, and adoption processing. The remaining beagles, which are currently puppies, will be transferred in August.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue purchased approximately 1,500 beagles from the facility in April for an undisclosed amount. The facility previously housed more than 2,000 beagles. Lauree Simmons, founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, stated, "Not one dog will remain. No more breeding, no more testing, no more anything."

The facility issued a statement describing the transferred dogs as healthy and possessing extensive inspection records. The statement also requested an end to public demonstrations targeting the facility's owners, staff, and neighbors. Simmons added, "As this effort comes to a close, we respectfully ask that the public refrain from further protests directed at Ridglan Farms, its owners, or its employees."

A special prosecutor determined the facility performed eye procedures that violated state veterinary standards. Animal welfare activists have opposed the facility's operations for multiple years. Activists breached the facility in March, removed 30 dogs, and were subsequently arrested. In April, police deployed tear gas and pepper spray after activists again breached the property to remove beagles, resulting in dozens of arrests.