Allegations of excessive force and hazardous biological exposure have emerged from an April 2026 animal rescue demonstration at a Wisconsin beagle breeding facility, raising concerns about law enforcement tactics and public health risks. A civil complaint was filed on April 23, 2026 in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin by Joanna Baird and Linda Gregersen against Ridglan Farms, Inc., Dane County officials Melissa Agard and Kalvin D. Barrett, unidentified law enforcement personnel, and James A. Burns.
According to the complaint, Baird and Gregersen—both Utah residents—attended a rescue event at Ridglan Farms on April 18, 2026. They allege that nonviolent demonstrators seeking to save approximately 2,000 beagles from what they describe as abusive conditions were met with chemical agents such as tear gas and pepper spray, rubber bullets, impact munitions, and manure-filled trenches intended to contaminate participants. The plaintiffs claim these actions constituted excessive force in violation of their civil rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments as well as state laws regarding assault, battery by hazardous biological contact, public nuisance, negligence grounded in statutory violations, among other causes.
The complaint outlines years of reported animal welfare violations at Ridglan Farms dating back to its operation since September 7, 1966. It references findings by media investigations—including reports that hundreds of dogs died from contaminated food or parvovirus outbreaks—and regulatory actions by Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture involving over 300 alleged violations of state animal welfare regulations. The plaintiffs further cite a January 2025 finding by Dane County Circuit Judge Lanford establishing probable cause for misdemeanor and felony counts of animal cruelty against Ridglan Farms but note that the facility was allowed to continue experiments on its beagle population pending license relinquishment.
On March 15, 2026 rescuers reportedly removed 22 beagles from the facility after concerns about their health surfaced. An evaluation cited in the filing found many dogs suffered from skin infections or parasites such as Giardia; one dog would have died without intervention. This prompted a larger demonstration on April 18 attended by roughly 1,000 people who pledged nonviolence in advance through social media announcements.
The complaint details pre-event planning by Sheriff Barrett who publicly stated three days prior that all available resources would be used to maintain peace while protecting everyone involved. However, after the event he issued another statement admitting to a “pre-planned tiered response” including tear gas as a deterrent followed by less-lethal munitions if escalation occurred—a response he described as “appropriate and proportionate.” Plaintiffs allege this amounted to a planned attack rather than protection.
Central to the claims are descriptions of manure-filled trenches constructed around Ridglan Farms’ perimeter which plaintiffs say were designed not only as barriers but also as contamination hazards intended to increase pain when combined with chemical agents. The complaint alleges that law enforcement knowingly forced blinded or choking rescuers into these pits filled with feces potentially containing parvovirus or Giardia—pathogens known for serious health risks—and that medical assistance via emergency services was intentionally withheld.
Baird recounts being sprayed directly in the face with tear gas without warning after approaching security personnel near a fence on Ridglan property; she describes immediate burning pain leading to blindness before falling into a manure trench while being carried away for aid by another rescuer. She reports ongoing symptoms including respiratory distress and trauma following emergency room treatment. Gregersen similarly describes exposure to pepper spray and repeated tear gas deployment resulting in burning sensations throughout her body; she observed other demonstrators suffering similar effects.
The suit alleges all plaintiffs were unarmed and nonviolent yet subjected to chemical agents without adequate opportunity for retreat or decontamination while emergency services failed to respond despite calls for help. Plaintiffs assert these actions caused physical injuries such as burns, respiratory irritation, nausea, temporary vision loss as well as emotional distress and fear of infection due to direct contact with animal waste.
Legally, the complaint argues that Dane County officials adopted or ratified policies allowing indiscriminate use of force against nonviolent persons without individualized assessment—a practice allegedly reinforced through lack of training or supervision regarding constitutional limits on crowd control measures like pepper spray or less-lethal projectiles. It further claims joint action between Ridglan Farms management and law enforcement led to coordinated efforts exposing demonstrators to dangerous conditions.
Plaintiffs seek certification for multiple classes including all persons exposed to chemical agents or impact munitions during the operation (estimated at around 1,500 individuals), those who came into contact with manure contamination specifically during the same event, and those subjected additionally to direct physical assault by law enforcement personnel.
The relief sought includes compensatory damages for physical injury and emotional distress; medical expenses; punitive damages based on alleged intentional disregard for safety; declaratory judgments recognizing rights violations; injunctive relief requiring abatement of ongoing hazards; attorneys’ fees; prejudgment interest; post-judgment interest; and any further relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Attorney Susan Chana Lask represents Baird and Gregersen in this case (Case No: 26-Cv-374).
Source: 326cv00374_Baird_v_Agard_Complaint_Western_District_Wisconsin.pdf
