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Taxpayer cost to prosecute Wisconsin dog advocates could be millions, attorney says
Prosecutors say the cases could cost up to $5 million each while Ridglan Farms avoided charges under a deal to end breeding.
- This month, the Dane County District Attorney filed felony burglary and theft charges against about four dozen activists suspected of participating in a March break-in at the now-defunct Ridglan Farms beagle breeding facility in Wisconsin.
- Previously, Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke reached a deal allowing Ridglan to stop breeding and close by July 1, 2026, avoiding criminal charges for the breeder despite facing abuse allegations.
- Activists claim they were compelled to act by 'horrific conditions' like unauthorized surgeries, while Ridglan alleges 'coordinated, violent assault' on their facility, citing surveillance video from the March and April rescue attempts.
- Burglary charges carry a penalty of up to 12 1/2 years in prison, with potential prosecution costs exceeding $100,000 per person, though federal surveys suggest typical felony prosecutions cost less than $10,000.
- Wayne Hsiung's trial is scheduled for January 2027; defendants intend to argue their actions were legally justified, maintaining that intervening to protect dogs from abuse remains a morally defensible position.
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Taxpayer cost to prosecute Wisconsin dog advocates could be millions, attorney says
(The Center Square) -- It might cost as much as $5 million to prosecute each of about 50 animal rights activists who attempted to take beagles from a now-defunct Wisconsin breeder accused of abusing them, according to an attorney who…
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Total News Sources21
Leaning Left1Leaning Right7Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
C 60%
R 35%
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