MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The last five people arrested in connection to the break-in and removal of dogs from Ridglan Farms were released from the Dane County Jail on Tuesday.
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office said 50 to 60 protesters illegally entered the private property at the facility, leading to 27 arrests. Activists took more than a dozen dogs from the Blue Mounds facility on Sunday.
On Tuesday, the people released were greeted by fellow animal activists before exiting the public safety building.
Protesters gather outside courthouse
Animal activists then marched next door to the Dane County Courthouse, calling on the district attorney to take action against Ridglan Farms, the medical research beagle breeder.
“I have just been released from jail,” said Dean Wyrzykowski. “I am still wearing the clothes that I was arrested in at Ridglan Farms.”
Aditya Aswani, who was among those released, said the group felt compelled to go beyond a conventional protest.
“Doing normal protest is a great first step,” Aswani said. “But at some point, I think we need to use nonviolent direct action and show people that this is important.”
The last five people arrested in connection with the removal of dogs from Ridglan Farms were released from the Dane County Jail on Tuesday, where they were greeted by fellow activists before marching to the courthouse to demand action from the district attorney.(WMTV)
WMTV asked Aswani what he would tell people who say activists stole the animals from the facility.
“I feel like theft only applies to objects. I think it’s really unfortunate that some people consider these living beings like no different than, I don’t know, that like metal sign over there,” Aswani said.
Aswani said he would do this all over again to protect the dogs.
“It’s unfortunate, but throughout human history, whether it’s with the Civil Rights Movement, the women’s suffrage movement, the Indian independence movement, the people in power want to keep things the way they are,” he said. “They won’t change unless we show them that we’re serious.”
Ridglan Farms responds
Ridglan Farms spokesperson Jim Newman said the facility has not received its animals back.
“Let’s be clear that these activists broke into a facility, a federal facility, a federally registered facility, and removed animals without permission,” Newman said. “And they did so with force. They used pry bars, they used saws.”
Activists group says it removed dogs from Ridglan Farms in Town of Blue Mounds(Jim Newman)
Newman said Ridglan Farms was aware of the release of the animal activists.
“The next step is the most important one — is where they face a judge and they face the consequences of their actions,” Newman said.
Baywatch actress among those released
Baywatch actress among those released from Dane County Jail(WMTV/Camberyn Kelley)
Baywatch actress Alexandra Paul was one of the five released Tuesday. Paul said she traveled from Oregon to take part.
“I’m an animal rescuer, investigator, and I was on trial in California two years ago for rescuing a chicken,” Paul said. “After nine days I was acquitted of theft because the jury felt that that chicken was being cruelly treated and that I did the right thing.”
Activists said they were planning to find new homes for the animals taken from the Ridglan Farms facility.
Court date pending; settlement previously reached
The suspects are expected to appear in court, but an initial appearance date has not been set.
Ridglan Farms bred beagles used in scientific research and has been the focus of years of protests and legal battles over animal welfare concerns. The facility previously agreed to stop breeding dogs to be sold for research by July 1 as part of a settlement with Dane County.
In a statement, the facility said in part: “The breeding of research animals for sale will end but we will continue to support necessary and beneficial research such as the development of new dog vaccines and treatments for a wide variety of diseases that impact our pets.”
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