Five Takeaways from the Ridglan “Trial”

Yesterday, we presented evidence of the mass abuse, trauma, and outright mutilation of dogs happening at Ridglan Farms. While the proceeding was technically not a “trial,” it had the same tension and stakes. And if we prevail in court, it will mean freedom for 3000+ dogs. 

Here are five key takeaways from our day in court – and some lessons for all of us trying to protect animals from abuse. 

Former workers testified about gruesome surgical procedures routinely performed on the dogs – without anesthesia or veterinary supervision. 

Scott Gilbertson, who worked at Ridglan as an undercover animal rights activist in 2022, testified that he was required to hold dogs down, while they thrashed and yelped, as another employee would cut inflamed glands from their eyes. Matt Reich, an employee from 2006-2010, testified that the company’s employees would systematically cut the vocal cords from dozens of dogs, and throw the quivering pieces of flesh on the floor when they were done. Both procedures were performed by non-veterinarians in violation of Wisconsin law; both were also performed without anesthesia or painkillers.  

An array of renowned experts expressed horror regarding the practices at Ridglan Farms.

Dr. Marc Bekoff, a renowned expert in animal and dog behavior, testified that the conditions at Ridglan Farms, including dogs confined permanently in solitary 2’ x 4’ metal cages,  were traumatic “beyond anything I’ve ever seen.” Dr. Patricia McConnell – a canine ethologist at the University of Wisconsin – offered a sworn declaration stating the treatment of dogs at Ridglan is “tortuous.” Dr. Lowell Wickman testified that surgery without anesthesia would cause the dogs to “suffer immeasurably.” And perhaps most important, Dr. Sherstin Rosenberg. stated that the housing conditions at Ridglan are worse even than Envigo, the prominent dog breeding facility shut down by the federal government in 2022. 

The government has known about dangerous conditions at Ridglan Farms for nearly 20 years – and done nothing to protect the dogs. 

Evidence was presented showing that, for nearly 20 years, state and federal inspectors have documented violations of law, yet prosecutors such as Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne have refused to protect the dogs. Reports from the government’s own inspectors have documented dangerous flooring conditions (including jagged, rusted wire); housing systems so small that they left animals exhibiting “abnormal” behavior; and air quality so bad that inspectors were getting sick. Yet even with violations of law documented as recently as one month ago, the DA has refused to start an investigation of Ridglan’s crimes. 

I testified openly about rescuing Julie – and the entire courtroom was moved. 

After years of being prosecuted and even accused of terrorism for rescuing 3 of the Ridglan dogs, I testified openly about what I did and why. This was important for the broader movement for the right to rescue. The government and industry try to caricature our actions as crimes; by speaking openly about what we do and why, we show that it’s the industry, and not rescuers, who are breaking the law. And, after telling Julie’s story, the entire courtroom, including courtroom staff, seemed changed. I played the below clip of Julie when we found her in a solitary metal cage. No one could watch this video and believe that what was being done to her was ok. 

The judge promised a prompt decision after we file a post-hearing brief on November 8. 

Judge Rhonda Lanford has been fair and no-nonsense throughout this case. As a former editor-in-chief of the Wisconsin Law Review, the most prestigious position in her law school class, her intellectual chops are unquestioned. Now she’s asked us for a post-hearing brief on November 8 and has promised a prompt decision on our petition thereafter. We can only hope that her sense of compassion matches her intelligence. 

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When we filed our petition in March 2024, many lawyers told us that the effort would fail. The biomedical industry in Dane County is incredibly powerful, they said, and the court won’t even look at your evidence. But over the last few months, we have become increasingly optimistic. First, the court ordered an evidentiary hearing, which was a victory in and of itself. Then the court denied Ridglan’s attempts to shut down the case; the company even (unsuccessfully) sued the judge in an effort to disrupt the proceeding! Now we are on the brink of saving 3000+ dogs. 

How do we explain the success?

It’s partly the judge we drew. Judge Lanford is known for being independent and brave - not as beholden to powerful local interests as officials such as DA Ozanne. It’s partly because even more whistleblowers and inspection reports have been discovered since we filed the petition, strengthening our case.

But perhaps the most important lesson is that we have to be willing to speak truth, even when the institutions around us try to stop us from doing so. Over the last 7 years, Dane County has done so much to silence the voices of the animals, and the activists who defend them – including an effort to put me in prison for up to 16 years. If we had been silenced by those efforts, we would not have the opportunity before us today.

It’s a lesson for us all. Speak truth, even if your voice shakes. Change won’t happen overnight. But every truth we speak, especially when it’s hard, builds power for change.

Check out my summary of this week’s proceeding on the latest episode of my YouTube show and podcast.

What’s up this week?

• There was significant media coverage of the Ridglan hearing, including a tremendous piece by Bill Luedders of The Isthmus. Give it a read or watch here and here. The Presidential election has been sucking all the oxygen from the media ecosystem. But I’m hopeful there will be even more media coverage when we file our post-hearing brief on November 8.

• On October 24, the Nonhuman Rights Project presented arguments for “animal personhood” before the Colorado Supreme Court. I’ve barely had time to look into this case, which involves five elephants trapped at a Colorado zoo, but the effort is an important one. Expect to hear more from me about this case.

• The trial of three women with Animal Rising accused of stealing the King’s Sheep will begin on November 4. This is the first right to rescue trial in UK history, and we should all be watching it closely. There could be implications for the global movement for animal rights. Follow our social media, as well as Animal Rising’s, as they may be prohibited by the court from publicizing their case in the UK.

• Key initiatives for animals are on the ballot in California and Colorado. I’ve spoken to some of the key players in these ballot initiatives on my podcast in the last few weeks. Check out these shows if you want to hear more about how grassroots activists are trying to use the initiative and referendum process to bypass entrenched (and often corrupt) elected officials.

It’s an intense time period for the world. And for the animals, too. Every week for the last few weeks, I’ve been thinking about the Ridglan dogs. I’m so appreciative of the fact that many of you have been, too. We could not have made the progress we’ve made without you.