A Wisconsin judge found enough evidence to move forward with a criminal case against attorney and animal rights activist Wayne Hsiung. Hsiung has been accused of leading a break-in at a beagle breeding and research facility called Ridglan Farms, located outside of Madison, Wisconsin, in Blue Mounds. Ridglan Farms is one of the largest beagle breeding facilities in the country, and breeds and sells dogs for biomedical experimentation. Hsiung faces felony charges. Here’s what you should know.
Ridglan Farms Was Investigated By a Special Prosecutor
Ridglan is a state-licensed dog breeder and research facility that denies any animal abuse. But last year, under public pressure, including from law professors, veterinarians, and non-profit organizations, the state of Wisconsin appointed a special prosecutor to investigate Ridglan.
The prosecutor’s report found that Ridglan had performed procedures on the beagles that constituted animal mistreatment. In the end, Ridgland chose to end its breeding-for-sale operations by July 2026 in exchange for the state of Wisconsin not filing charges.
Special prosecutor, District Attorney Tim Gruenke, gave an interview with PBS Wisconsin explaining that he felt this resolution with Ridgland Farm resulted in a more desirable income. The agreement effectively ended Ridglan’s ability to sell dogs to outside labs, but the company was permitted to continue experiments on the beagles.
The Ridglan Farms Beagle Raids
The facility remained a major focus for animal rights activists. On March 15, 2026, activists allegedly led by Hsiung broke into Ridglan Farms and took 22 beagles during an “open rescue.” The event resulted in at least 20 arrests. But only Hsiung and three other activists were criminally charged and face felony burglary charges.
On April 18, there was a much larger planned attempt involving hundreds of activists gathered at Ridglan and attempted to breach barriers and fencing, including an infamous manure-filled trench that surrounded the property. They clashed with the Dane County Sheriff’s Department, which used tear gas, pepper balls, and rubber bullets on the crowd. The facility claimed that activists threw smoke and tear gas canisters back over the fence at law enforcement. (See the video in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.)
Two animal rescue organizations bought 1,500 beagles from Ridglan to find them homes. In a statement quoted by The New York Times, Ridgland said that “the decision to sell the dogs is not related to any specific event.” Currently, about 500 beagles remain at Ridglan. Animal rights attorneys are asking a Wisconsin appeals court to order that the dogs must be sold instead of euthanized.
Charges Against Hsiung
Hsiung appeared in the Dane County Circuit Court for a preliminary hearing at the end of April, which was related to the March 15 break-in. At the hearing, prosecutors played police body camera videos from the alleged break-in, which showed Hsiung confronting police.
Officers also testified that law enforcement started receiving 911 calls the morning of March 15, reporting people entering the Ridglan Farms property. When they got to the scene, they said that they found people inside the fence trying to access buildings on the property, including Hsiung attempting to break in with a crowbar.
Additional video evidence, including drone footage and social media posts, was used to identify Hsiung as part of the group that broke in. Videos allegedly show him moving through the property and carrying a beagle, according to testimony.
Court Commissioner Brian Asmus found there was sufficient evidence that a crime may have been committed, so the case will proceed to a full trial. Hsiung has been charged with felony burglary to a building or dwelling as party to a crime. But there isn’t a trial date yet.
Hsiung Plans to Represent Himself
Until trial, Hsiung remains on a $20,000 cash bond. The court lifted a prior restriction that had barred him from Dane County, Wisconsin, where Ridglan is located. But several other bond conditions are in place. He can’t enter the Town of Blue Mounds or have any contact with Ridglan Farms. He can’t possess any dangerous weapons. And he can’t contact co-defendants except for matters related to the ongoing legal proceedings.
After the preliminary hearing, Hsiung spoke outside the courthouse and explained that the case was part of a broader debate over animal welfare and the legal system. He framed the case in terms of using the justice to defend the powerless—and who’s more powerless than a beagle in a cage?
He also said that he plans to represent himself going forward. (The Latin term is “pro se,” meaning on one’s own behalf.) That way, he can actively participate in his own defense and talk to witnesses.
Who Is Wayne Hsiung?
Wayne Hsiung is a lawyer and animal rights activist, and the co-founder of the national animal rights group Direct Action Everywhere. He has an interesting past and a record of being generally really smart. Hsiung started college at DePauw University when he was 16, graduated from the University of Chicago, studied economics at MIT, but then left MIT to pursue a joint JD/PhD at the University of Chicago Law School. He also ran for mayor of Berkeley, California, but didn’t win.
Hsiung has participated in many open rescues as part of his work with Direct Action Everywhere and has been part of several other high-profile protests and incidents. He once faced up to 10 years in prison for stealing two piglets from the nation’s largest pig farm. In 2024, the Harvard Law Review published an article he wrote with several other co-authors. It discusses the idea of voluntary prosecution (being arrested on purpose to challenge unjust practices) to make an impact and create change.
The Break-In Had a Massive Impact
It’s really rare that the animal rights movement captures — and holds — public attention the way it has with the Ridglan beagles. Videos of the beagles arriving at their foster homes are all over social media, and families have lined up to adopt. The trial will almost definitely get tons of media attention as it moves forward. Or, you know, a lot of pup-licity.
Related Resources
Lifestyles of the Rich and Fur-mous: Do Pet Trusts and “Pet-Preneurship” Really Make Pets Wealthy? (FindLaw's Legally Weird)
California Mayor Pleads Guilty to Acting for a Foreign Government (FindLaw's Courtside)
