The last 155 beagles from Ridglan Farms, a Wisconsin facility that bred dogs for biomedical research, are being relocated to a Florida rescue, marking the conclusion of the release of over 2,000 dogs from the facility this year. Despite growing efforts to reduce animal testing, records from the USDA indicate that more than 37,000 dogs were utilized in U.S. research last year. Many of these dogs come from commercial breeding facilities subject to federal oversight under the Animal Welfare Act, alongside state laws.
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A CBS News investigation found significant disparities between state and federal regulatory findings at Ridglan Farms, raising questions about federal oversight. An investigation by Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection identified 494 violations at Ridglan between 2024 and 2025, many of which involved the humane handling of dogs. In January 2025, Judge Rhonda Lanford of the Dane County Circuit Court determined there was probable cause to think Ridglan had committed crimes related to animal cruelty and appointed a special prosecutor for further investigation. To avoid criminal prosecution, Ridglan agreed last month to surrender its state license to sell dogs, though the facility maintains it did not breach any state or federal laws.
In stark contrast, federal inspection records reviewed by CBS News noted only four violations at the breeding facility and two at the research site over the past decade, none deemed critical. Rep. Mark Pocan, a Wisconsin Democrat, expressed his confusion, stating, "When you have that amount of state violations, clearly that stood out."
Ridglan has denied any breaches of animal-welfare laws and asserted it has a history of exemplary animal care, emphasizing that federal inspectors only identified non-critical issues. The USDA's inspector general has consistently flagged concerns regarding oversight of dog breeders for the last thirty years. A recent audit from 2025 identified shortcomings in the USDA's inspection system, suggesting that inconsistent and delayed inspections may have allowed ongoing violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
The USDA informed CBS News it collaborates with state officials to enhance enforcement and has implemented measures to strengthen oversight based on the inspector general's recommendations. The final group of 155 dogs has now been placed with Big Dog Ranch Rescue, concluding a months-long relocation effort organized in collaboration with the organization and its founder, Lauree Simmons.
Simmons criticized the treatment of these beagles, stating, "They choose beagles because they're easy to handle and they're so forgiving. You hurt them one day and they're going to forgive you the next. This is inhumane." She reiterated her commitment to ending animal cruelty, saying she will continue her efforts for as long as she can.
The treatment of research animals is increasingly scrutinized as the federal government promotes alternatives to animal testing, yet many scientists argue that animal testing remains vital to medical research. Former veterinarian Larry Carbone noted that while advances allow for the use of human cells and tissues, these methods cannot wholly replicate biological interactions. He remarked on the life-saving advancements achieved through animal research, saying, "Cancer was mostly a death sentence; now most of us know people who are taking HIV meds or living with cancers—all from things developed using animals."