February 6, 2026, MADISON, WI – Today, attorneys from the Nonhuman Rights Project and the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project strongly denounced a Dane County judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit filed on behalf of dogs who remain confined at the notorious breeder Ridglan Farms. They vowed to appeal the decision immediately. Ridglan’s breeding facility currently holds approximately 2,000 beagle dogs and puppies. The lawsuit asked the court to recognize the dogs’ right to habeas corpus to protect them from unlawful cruelty and order that they be protected and potentially released.
“Nothing protects the thousands of dogs at Ridglan Farms’ breeding operation between now and when it relinquishes its license this summer,” said Professor Justin Marceau, the director of the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. “Under the agreement with the special prosecutor, Ridglan is free to sell, kill, or house the remaining dogs in abhorrent conditions until then. This violates the dogs’ right to be free from cruelty, and habeas corpus is the remedy. We will immediately file an appeal to protect these dogs.”
During today’s hearing, Judge Stephen Ehlke recognized that in 50 or 100 years people may wonder what we were thinking in denying relief for animals. Judge Elkhe stated that he was sympathetic to the dogs’ plight—before dismissing the case.
“The time for justice for the dogs is now, not 50 years from now,” said Christopher Berry, Executive Director of the Nonhuman Rights Project.
Last fall, Ridglan Farms reached an agreement with a special prosecutor to resolve potentially hundreds of felony animal cruelty charges, agreeing to surrender its license to breed and sell dogs by July 1, 2026. However, the agreement does not place any requirements on Ridglan regarding dogs that remain at the puppy mill between now and then. The lawsuit argued that this violates those dogs’ right to be protected from cruelty under Wisconsin law.
“It is disappointing that the Court did not step in to protect the rights of dogs to be free from inhumane and cruel treatment. We will continue our efforts to do what is right and just for the beagles at Ridglan Farms,” said Kristin Schrank, Wisconsin attorney and animal advocate.
Attorneys also criticized what they described as Ridglan Farms’ false claim, issued in response to the lawsuit, that recognizing the rights of dogs at its facility to be free from cruelty would threaten the use of animals for food, research, hunting, fishing and other activities involving animals.
“This lawsuit simply seeks to protect dogs under the existing animal cruelty law, which includes exemptions for agriculture, hunting, and research,” continued Berry. “If Ridglan thinks that animal cruelty protections are too robust, it should take its concern to the legislature rather than mischaracterizing the law to the public.”
The Nonhuman Rights Project is the only civil rights organization in the United States working through litigation, legislation, and education to secure fundamental rights for nonhuman animals. Learn more at www.nonhumanrights.org.
The Animal Activist Legal Defense Project at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law works to empower and defend animal advocates through activist defense, affirmative litigation, and training law students to join and transform the field of Animal Law. Learn more at AALDP.com and follow us at @AALDP_DU on Twitter/X, Instagram, and @AALDP-DU on Bluesky.
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