1.    What are the primary duties and responsibilities of the Dane County Sheriff’s Office?
The DCSO is the largest law enforcement agency in Dane County and serves as the primary provider of law enforcement services for unincorporated areas (towns), contract municipalities, and specialized countywide functions.
Under Wisconsin Statute §59.27, the Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the county and is responsible for:

• Taking charge and custody of the county jail and all persons committed to it; 
• Attending upon the circuit court and serving or executing all lawful processes, writs, precepts, and orders; 
• Preserving the peace and suppressing affrays, riots, unlawful assemblies, and insurrections; 
• Enforcing state statutes, county ordinances, and, where applicable, municipal ordinances under contract; and 
• Coordinating and providing assistance to other law enforcement agencies as necessary. 

Key operational responsibilities include:

• Patrol and Field Services: Responding to calls for service, enforcing criminal and traffic laws, conducting investigations, and maintaining public order. 
• Specialized Response: Deploying units such as the Special Events Team for crowd management, the Tactical Response Team, and K-9 Unit when needed. 
• Investigations and Evidence: Conducting follow-up investigations, collecting evidence, and referring cases to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office. 
• Core Functions: Operating the county jail, providing court security, serving civil process, and supporting public safety partnerships. 

The DCSO does not have the authority to regulate the licenses of animal welfare facilities.  That authority rests with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The DCSO’s role is limited to enforcing criminal law and maintaining public safety.

Consistent with guidance from Dane County Corporation Counsel, the DCSO will investigate reports of animal cruelty involving Ridglan Farms in coordination with DATCP and animal control professionals.

2. What occurred at Ridglan Farms on March 15, 2026?
On Sunday, March 15, 2026, at approximately 8:30 a.m., DCSO deputies, with mutual aid from Mt. Horeb, Verona, the City of Madison, and UW Police, responded to reports of approximately 50 to 60 individuals breaking into private property at Ridglan Farms without permission.

Some individuals forcibly entered the facility and removed multiple beagles.  Approximately 27 individuals were arrested on tentative charges including burglary, criminal trespass, and criminal damage to property.  Two vehicles and suspected burglary tools were seized as evidence.  Individuals involved were generally cooperative during law enforcement response.

Ridglan Farms is a state and federally licensed breeding and research facility (USDA Class A breeder and Class R research facility).  The facility reached a 2025 settlement to surrender its DATCP breeding license effective July 1, 2026, but is legally permitted to operate and sell dogs until that date.

After July 1, 2026, Ridglan Farms will continue operating as a USDA-licensed research facility but will no longer breed dogs under its former state license.

3. What was the DCSO response to the March 15, 2026 burglaries?
The DCSO responded to reports of unauthorized entry and criminal activity on private property in accordance with its statutory duty under Wis. Stat. § 59.27.

Deputies worked with partner agencies to:

• Secure the scene; 
• Make arrests where probable cause existed; and 
• Recover some of the animals taken. 

The DCSO’s role was limited to law enforcement, ensuring public safety, preventing harm, and enforcing criminal statutes.  
 

4. What were the charges referred to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office?  

On April 15, 2026, the DCSO referred a total of 70 charges on 63 people, based on the investigation into the March 15th incident. The charges referred were on individuals associated with the animal activist, as well as, a nearby neighbor who attempted to intervene.  

The Charges referred:

1.    Burglary- 33 referrals
2.    Burglary- Party to a Crime (PTAC)- 18 referrals
3.    Conspiracy to Commit Burglary- 8 referrals
4.    Possession of Burglary Tools- 2 referrals
5.    Receive/Possession of Stolen Property- 2 referrals
6.    Trespassing- 2 referrals
7.    Criminal Damage to Property- 4 referrals
8.    Reckless Driving – 1 referral

5. Why were arrests made, and does this reflect opposition to animal rights protests?
The DCSO fully supports constitutionally protected rights to free speech and peaceful protest.

Arrests were made solely because individuals engaged in criminal conduct, including trespassing, unlawful entry, and removal of property (animals). These actions fall outside protected protest activity and constitute violations of Wisconsin law.
The DCSO is obligated to enforce these laws fair and impartially, regardless of the cause being advocated. The DCSO encourages individuals to pursue concerns through lawful and constructive channels.

6. Why has the Sheriff’s Office not pursued animal cruelty charges against Ridglan Farms?
Legal Authority:
The DCSO will investigate allegations of animal cruelty; however, oversight of licensed research facilities is primarily a regulatory function of DATCP and USDA.

Wisconsin Statute Chapter 951 (Crimes Against Animals) includes a statutory exemption for research activities conducted pursuant to approved institutional protocols. Ridglan Farms operates as a licensed research facility under state and federal oversight, and its activities fall within this exemption.

Accordingly, the DCSO does not have authority to refer criminal charges for conduct that is explicitly permissible through their state and federal license departments.  

7. Does the DCSO conduct animal welfare inspections of Ridglan Farms?
The DCSO has requested assistance from DATCP and animal control authorities to conduct a walkthrough of the facility. This review will allow investigators to document findings and assess any new allegations.

Per guidance from Dane County Corporation Counsel:

• The DCSO will investigate reports of animal cruelty occurring after October 28, 2025. 
• Allegations prior to that date were addressed through the special prosecutor’s investigation and court resolution.

8.    Will Ridglan Farms close after July 1, 2026?
No. Per the outcome of the special prosecutor’s investigation, Ridglan Farms will surrender its DATCP (state) breeding license effective July 1, 2026. They are permitted to continuing operations as a USDA-licensed research facility.
 

9.    What is the status of the beagles removed during the incident?
Some of the beagles were recovered and returned to Ridglan Farms. The exact number removed remains under investigation.

The DCSO does not currently have custody of any of the animals. Claims that the Sheriff’s Office is holding or withholding dogs are inaccurate. 
 

10. Is misinformation circulating about this incident?
Yes. The DCSO has identified significant misinformation regarding:

• The legal status of Ridglan Farms; 
• The applicability of animal cruelty statutes; 
• The role of law enforcement; and 
• Findings from the special prosecutor’s investigation. 

Claims that the DCSO is “protecting animal cruelty” or acting with bias are inaccurate. The DCSO enforces laws as written and operates within clearly defined legal boundaries.

11. How will the DCSO respond to future protests or organized burglaries?
The DCSO will continue to support lawful, peaceful demonstrations while responding promptly to criminal activity such as trespassing, burglary, or criminal damage to property.  Maintaining the peace remains the DCSO’s top priority and will respond appropriately to intentional violations of the law.   

Community members are encouraged to demonstrate lawfully to avoid risk to themselves, and others.

12. Where can the public find more information or report concerns?
•    Official updates: danesheriff.com or danecounty.gov (search “Ridglan Farms”) 
•    Animal welfare inquiries: Wisconsin DATCP or USDA 
•    If you witness animal abuse at a research facility, you should submit a formal complaint to the USDA APHIS Animal Care program at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/awa/regulatory-enforcement/complaint

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to impartial law enforcement, public safety, and maintaining community trust.  For the most current information, refer to official press releases and the Dane County Sheriff’s Office website.