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The Dane County Sheriff's Office said the situation was
“significantly calmer and more peaceful” on Sunday, when around
200 people assembled outside the farm. They dispersed after
around two hours, it said.
“We’re pleased with the group’s cooperation today, and their
willingness to remain peaceful, while still sending their
message of concern for the dogs at Ridglan Farms,” Sheriff
Kalvin Barrett said in a statement. “We are happy to support
anyone who wants to exercise the right to protest, as long as
they do so lawfully.”
The sheriff had said in a video statement Saturday that 300 to
400 protesters were “violently trying to break into the
property.” They tried to overcome barricades that included a
manure-filled trench, hay bales and a barbed-wire fence.
Some got through the fence but were unable to enter the
facility, where an estimated 2,000 beagles are kept, the
Wisconsin State Journal reported.
Those arrested included the leader of the Coalition to Save the
Ridglan Dogs, Wayne Hsiung, 44, of New York, who was being held
on a tentative felony charge of conspiracy to commit burglary.
But most arrestees were just booked and released, the sheriff's
office said Sunday.
“No one should be assaulted for giving aid to a dog, even if
damage to property is part of that rescue effort,” Hsuing said
in a statement from jail Sunday that also accused authorities of
using excessive force. “The animals of this Earth are not
“things.” They’re sentient beings. And we have the right to
rescue them from abuse,” he concluded.
Protesters took 30 dogs when they broke into the facility in
March, when authorities arrested 27 people.
Ridglan denies mistreating animals but agreed in October to give
up its state breeding license as of July 1 in a deal to avoid
prosecution on animal mistreatment charges.
On its website, the company says “no credible evidence of animal
abuse, cruelty, mistreatment or neglect at Ridglan Farms has
ever been presented or substantiated.”
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