April 30, 2026—MADISON, Wisc.—The Nonhuman Rights Project is relieved that nearly 1,500 beagles will be leaving Ridglan Farms. The world rallied for these dogs, including activists and organizations from across the animal protection movement. But it shouldn’t take this kind of mobilization plus a private purchase to protect the dogs from unlawful cruelty, and it wouldn’t be needed if the justice system had done its job.
The Nonhuman Rights Project, with the Animal Activist Legal Defense Project and Wisconsin attorney Kristin Schrank, went to court earlier this year to free the beagles after a judge and a special prosecutor both found that the Ridglan dogs were likely victims of criminal animal cruelty. But the judge ruled against the dogs and us — though acknowledging that in 50 or 100 years people may look back and wonder ‘what the heck were they thinking’ in denying rights for animals.
We’re wondering that too, as are Wisconsinites: 94% believe dogs have a legal right to be free from cruelty.
We have appealed the court’s decision and will continue to press this case to protect any remaining dogs at Ridglan, as well as our broader work to ensure that courts protect animals’ rights to be free from unlawful cruelty, so this kind of extraordinary mobilization isn’t needed again.