Investigators rescued beagles from cruel experiments

Then they were charged with felonies.

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Featured Case

Rescuing Beagles from Abuse at Ridglan Farms

Ridglan Farms is one of the largest breeders of beagles for experimentation in the United States. In 2017, DxE investigators entered the facility and documented the filthy conditions and the psychological trauma of the dogs spinning endlessly inside small cages. The team rescued three beagles, Julie, Anna, and Lucy, who are now living with loving families. Eva, Paul, and Wayne were charged with felony burglary and felony theft charges. Their trial was set to start March 18th at the Dane County Courthouse in Madison, Wisconsin. However, ten days before trial, the state DROPPED all the charges.

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About the Right to Rescue

14 US states have laws that allow the rescue of dogs from hot cars, and Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) is leading a campaign to extend these laws to apply to animals of any species in need of rescue, including in factory farms and animal experimentation facilities. The Right to Rescue campaign seeks to build support for animal rescue and ultimately, to establish a legal right to rescue animals from distress and exploitation. This would open the door to a new view of animals under the law - as people deserving of rights, rather than "property.”

View the latest updates on the Ridglan Trial Twitter:

Recent Updates

Dane County, WisconsinMar. 8, 2024
BREAKING: Ten days before trial, all charges have been DROPPED against Eva Hamer, Paul Darwin Picklesimer, and Wayne Hsiung who saved three beagles from Ridglan Farms, a factory farm that breeds dogs for experimentation. This case has been pending for years and we believe this dismissal is the result of pressure and press coverage that made it clear there is public support for animal rescue. Unfortunately, the Dane County District Attorney’s office is still failing to prosecute Ridglan Farms for criminal animal cruelty. It is more important now than ever that we keep the pressure on to get justice for these animals. Please help us share the news on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Sonoma County, CaliforniaDec. 9, 2023
Wayne was released from jail today after serving almost half his 90-day sentence, as is typical in California. He is in the process of appealing his conviction.

Sonoma County, CaliforniaNov. 30, 2023
Wayne was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 2 years of probation. Right after his sentencing hearing, members of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department arrested three more animal rescuers on felony warrants. You can read the press here. We have a new Right to Rescue case in Sonoma County now. You can learn more here.

Sonoma County, CaliforniaNov. 2, 2023
JAILED: Animal rescuer Wayne Hsiung was found GUILTY on 3 of the 4 charges in the Sonoma Rescue Trial, including one count of felony conspiracy and two counts of misdemeanor trespass. He is in jail awaiting sentencing on November 30. We will be appealing this conviction to a higher court. If we win the appeal, it could set groundbreaking caselaw for animal rights. Please share this important news on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. And please join us at Wayne's sentencing hearing at 9am on November 30th at the Sonoma County Courthouse, at 600 Administration Drive. The event page is at dxe.io/sentencing.

Sonoma County, CaliforniaMay 3, 2023
Last night, the Sebastopol City Council passed a historic resolution to support the activists facing charges in Sonoma County for peaceful actions at factory farms where animals were openly rescued from abuse. Sebastopol is the third city to pass a resolution condemning the prosecution of animal rescuers, following Berkeley and San Francisco -- and it is the first city to do so in Sonoma County! Please help us elevate this important victory by sharing the video on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Merced County, CaliforniaMar. 17, 2023
VICTORY! The jury found Alicia and Alexandra NOT GUILTY of theft for rescuing Ethan and Jax! This is a major win for the Right to Rescue! Please share the news on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Merced County, CaliforniaFeb. 14, 2023
New York Times columnist Farhad Manjoo just wrote about the #FosterFarmsTrial in a piece powerfully titled, “Rescuing Farm Animals From Cruelty Should Be Legal.” Manjoo describes the routine cruelty at Foster Farms and examines the strategy behind the “Right to Rescue” cases before concluding that the defendants, Alexandra Paul and Alicia Santurio, “should be praised, not punished.” Help us elevate this incredible coverage by sharing it on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Beaver County, UtahJan. 20, 2023
The University of Denver Animal Activist Defense Project hosted a “Smithfield Trial Summit” from Jan. 13-15 featuring panels and presentations by the defendants, lawyers, and jurors from this historic trial. Five of eight jurors attended and spoke about what motivated them to acquit Wayne and Paul. You can read more about the event in this press article.

Washington County, UtahOct. 8, 2022
Victory! The jury in the #SmithfieldTrial unanimously found Wayne and Paul NOT GUILTY on all charges for rescuing Lily and Lizzie from Smithfield's Circle Four Farms. This groundbreaking verdict shows that the public supports the right to rescue animals from abuse. Please spread the word!

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