Rescue group taking in dogs from medical research facility
A Wisconsin beagle breeding and research facility that’s been the site of recent violent protests is closing, and its remaining dogs are being taken in by a Florida rescue group.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue announced Monday that it has reached an agreement for the permanent closure of Ridglan Farms and the transfer of its 475 remaining beagles starting this week.
“Not one dog will remain,” Lauree Simmons, the group’s founder, said in a news conference at a farm in Wisconsin. “No more breeding, no more testing, no more anything.”
Yearslong opposition to the facility came to head in April when a large group of animal welfare activists stormed the property.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue said some of the beagles will go to rescue groups while others will be sent to its Florida and Alabama campuses where they will be spayed, neutered and prepared for adoption.
The group bought roughly 1,500 of the facility’s more than 2,000 beagles in April for an undisclosed price.
About 200 dogs were being transferred Monday, according to Simmons. Another 125 will be moved today. The transfer of the remaining beagles will happen in August, as they are still puppies.
