baywatch — Dane County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested around 20 people after a group entered Ridglan Farms and removed dogs, the Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies responded around 8: 30 a. m. ET Sunday to the Town of Blue Mounds facility after 50–60 protesters allegedly went onto the property without permission. Officials say the action targeted a breeding facility that supplies beagles for scientific research and followed years of public concern about animal welfare.
Details of the break-in
Dane County deputies say the group broke into the Ridglan Farms breeding facility and removed multiple dogs; members of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs reported that 31 dogs were taken and that eight were intercepted by police. The Sheriff’s Office said Monday ET that some dogs were later found and returned to Ridglan Farms while several others remain unaccounted for. Deputies seized two vehicles, tools to conduct a burglary and other evidence from the scene.
Authorities identified several people who were arrested: Wayne Hsiung, 44, of New York; Aditya V. Aswani, 29, of Brooklyn, New York; and Dean F. Wyrzykowski, 29, of San Francisco, California. The Sheriff’s Office said Aswani faces a tentative burglary charge, and Hsiung and Wyrzykowski are accused of criminal trespassing charges. Ridglan Farms personnel said activists cut a chain-link fence and a locked gate and attempted to enter buildings using sledgehammers, an electric saw and crowbars.
Quick context: Ridglan Farms breeds beagles used in scientific research and has been the focus of years of protests and legal battles. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection and the U. S. Department of Agriculture are responsible for oversight of the facility; Ridglan Farms agreed to surrender its breeding license by July 1 following an animal welfare investigation.
Immediate reactions — Baywatch
“The Dane County Sheriff’s Office understands how deeply people feel for the beagles at Ridglan Farms, and we respect their right to express that passion through peaceful protests, ” Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said Monday ET. “Our role is to keep everyone safe and to respond when unlawful activity takes place. We encourage anyone with concerns about animal welfare or research practices to engage through lawful and constructive avenues. The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to maintaining public safety, promoting peaceful dialogue, and ensuring that all parties can exercise their rights within the bounds of the law. ”
Wayne Hsiung, identified in booking information as an attorney and activist who helped organize the effort, alleged that the dogs at the facility are subjected to abuse. Ridglan Farms has denied allegations of animal abuse and said it operates within state and federal regulations.
What’s next
Law enforcement processing of arrests and evidence is underway; charges listed by the Sheriff’s Office are tentative and could change as investigations continue. State and federal agricultural authorities who oversee the facility will remain involved while Ridglan Farms moves toward surrendering its breeding license by the agreed date. The Sheriff’s Office and oversight agencies are expected to issue further updates as cases and the animal welfare review progress, and advocacy groups have signaled ongoing activity around the facility. baywatch will remain a required keyword in ongoing coverage, and reporting will track whether the unaccounted-for animals are located and how prosecutors proceed with the detained individuals.
