Ann Arbor animal rights activist joins others to rescue beagles from breeding facility

Animal rights activists rescue beagles from breeding facility

Many busted in the doors of a facility in Wisconsin, with the help of an Ann Arbor man who was arrested during it all. He tells FOX 2 the animal activists had to act because no one else would. He’s referring to the 3,000 beagles bred and sold for animal testing at a massive facility near Madison, Wisconsin. Meanwhile, this place apparently has a dark past of animal abuse.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (FOX 2) - Dogs used in animal testing are now in safe hands after multiple animal advocates made illegal moves to rescue them.

The company disputes the accusations from the activists, saying they do not do medical or product testing.

Big picture view:

Multiple people broke the doors down of a facility in Wisconsin, with the help of an Ann Arbor man who was arrested during it all. Animal rights activist Doug Moeller said 3,000 beagles are bred and sold for animal testing at a massive facility near Madison, Wisconsin. 

"They never see sunlight, they never touch grass, they never play with each other," said animal rights activist Doug Moeller. "We entered through a fence outside, and then we entered the buildings and started taking dogs out," said Moeller.

Moeller was there as they pried the doors open, breaking in to get 30 beagles out, while employees at so-called Ridglan Farms taunted them with baseball bats and their trucks.

In minutes, sheriff’s deputies showed up just outside Madison, Wisconsin and started cuffing the activists, including Doug. Even a former "Baywatch" TV star was arrested out there.

"It was long, hard, physically exhausting and emotionally exhausting," said Moeller.

Dig deeper:

The facility is accused of horrible abuses, 311 counts to be exact, including not using anesthesia to perform painful medical procedures on the dogs. Ridglan Farms argued the claims are not true. The facility forfeited its license to breed in July. 

But Moeller says the animals needed out now.

"Beagles are pretty docile by nature. That’s why they use them for this kind of thing. You can abuse a beagle, and then they’ll love you five minutes later," said Moeller.

Two dozen are with an undisclosed rescue. Police have the rest and their fate is unclear.

"The real point is that we need the public to put pressure on them to release the rest of the dogs," said Moeller.

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The other side:

The company released a lengthy statement, disputing the characterization from the activists. They do not do medical or product testing, Ridglan Farms said in a release. They conduct and support veterinary research with the goal of creating new medicines and other treatments for pets.

They also dispute the characterization that its dogs are not being socialized, saying they play together and are happy and healthy. They also use anesthesia.

They added their research protocols were investigated and they reached a settlement with the state of Wisconsin to continue conducting research into veterinary medicine.