Senator Habush Sinykin Commends Decision to Appoint a Special Prosecutor to Address Criminal Animal Cruelty Allegations at Research Facility in Wisconsin

MADISON, WI – Last week, a Dane County Judge appointed a special prosecutor to investigate criminal animal abuse allegations involving Ridglan Farms, a large-scale breeding facility of beagles used for biomedical research experimentation. In October 2024, former employees of Ridglan Farms testified as eyewitnesses to ongoing instances of cruel and inhumane treatment of dogs kept at the Blue Mounds, WI facility, adding to a long record of previously documented cruelty at this research facility. Senator Habush Sinykin released the following statement:

“I commend Judge Landford’s decision to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate these ongoing allegations of animal cruelty. After decades of reported abuse at this facility, this is an opportunity to hold Ridglan Farms accountable, made possible through the brave testimony of former employees, the thorough documentation done by state and federal agencies, and the persistence of advocacy groups. I am grateful for these collective efforts to elevate and bring this issue to the public’s attention.

“I know for a fact that the humane treatment of dogs is an issue close to the hearts of the people of Wisconsin and an issue that transcends party politics. In 2009 while working on behalf of the Wisconsin Humane Society and a statewide coalition, I helped pass legislation to address the harms caused by unregulated dog breeding facilities in Wisconsin (Wisconsin Act 90, 2009). This law, often referred to as Wisconsin’s Puppy Mill Bill, passed the legislature unanimously–with every Democrat and Republican legislator voting in its favor. Unfortunately, large-scale research facilities like Ridglan Farms were exempt from that law, which has led to the present circumstances.

“I will personally be working on legislation with colleagues both within my own caucus and across the aisle to put an end to the ongoing abuses at Ridglan Farms. The humane and ethical treatment of companion animals is an issue that both parties care about and we can come together, as we have done before, to enact meaningful change in Wisconsin.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.