TOWN OF BLUE MOUNDS, Wis. — Animal rights activists planning to exhibit at Ridglan Farms pushed again on a message from the Dane County sheriff condemning potential violence, saying he lives in a “legal fantasy world.”
In a message Wednesday, Sheriff Kalvin Barrett stated his workplace revered First Amendment rights however that actions in earlier demonstrations went too far.
“We have to draw a decisive line between peacefully protesting and disagreeing and violently breaking into a facility, damaging property and stealing private property,” Barrett stated. “I want anyone who’s coming from the outside into our community to respect our laws and respect the values that we have here in Dane County.”
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office referred costs towards 63 individuals after a March 15 break-in at Ridglan Farms. A bunch tied to the break-in, the Marty Project, can also be organizing Sunday’s demonstration. The group is working with longtime animal rights activist and Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) co-founder Wayne Hsiung. He was one of many individuals arrested after the March 15 break-in.
Responding to Barrett’s message in a video posted Thursday, Hsiung criticized the sheriff’s place and stated he was focusing on protesters when he must be focusing on alleged animal cruelty at Ridglan.
“This is a company that has cut the vocal cords out of dogs. Held them down and injected them with rabies. And just killed them because it decided it did not want to waste money feeding them,” Hsiung stated. “Under the Sheriff’s view, all totally non-violent. In contrast, a young animal activist holding stuffed animals and flowers? Oh my god, the violence!”
Hsiung stated Barrett’s views on law-breaking at Ridglan have been flawed and that the ability was the one within the improper.
“So Sheriff, with all due respect, in fact you imagine we’re breaking the legislation,” Hsiung stated. “Because you are residing in a authorized fantasy world.”
Ridglan Farms has repeatedly pushed again towards allegations made by Hsiung and different activists, and maintains it’s following state and federal legal guidelines.
Reviews by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection did elevate considerations over “cherry eye” procedures carried out on the facility. Ridglan’s lead veterinarian, Richard Von Domelen, noticed his license suspended after DATCP discovered he delegated the procedures to workers who weren’t correctly licensed.
DATCP additionally hit the ability with 311 violations in September 2025, largely centered on the cherry eye procedures. Last yr, Ridglan Farms entered right into a settlement with a particular prosecutor that noticed it hand over its breeding license, efficient July 1, 2026, so as to keep away from felony prosecution. The facility was allowed to proceed working as a analysis facility.
Hsiung was charged after breaking into Ridglan Farms together with two different DxE activists to conduct an ‘open rescue’ in 2017. The group took three beagles and documented stunning situations within the facility. The lawsuit towards them was dismissed in 2024.
In his message Thursday, Hsiung stated that the federal government was serving monied pursuits as a substitute of the general public.
“Sometimes the only way to make change is to be the change ourselves by going around corrupt politicians and taking direct action,” Hsiung stated. “And that’s what we’re going to do. If the politicians won’t rescue the dogs, we will. And the people will support us.”
Dane County Executive Melissa Agard, in a press release Thursday, voiced her considerations for animal welfare however known as on these concerned within the deliberate protests to flip down the temperature.
“There is a responsibility on all sides to prioritize safety, respect the law, and avoid actions that could lead to further conflict,” Agard stated. “I trust the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and our local law enforcement partners to manage this situation professionally and keep everyone safe.”
The Marty Project says over 2,000 individuals have signed up to take part in Sunday’s demonstration. The group claims to have taken 30 canines from Ridglan Farms through the March 15 break-in and goals to take about 2,000 extra.
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