Ridglan Farms activists facing felony charges make initial court appearance
DANE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Dozens of animal rights activists gathered in Dane County on Monday, Oct. 19, as 47 people face felony charges stemming from the March 15 break in at Ridglan Farms. The animal testing facility has since closed, and its beagles were purchased by an out-of-state rescue. The defendants remain in high spirits despite the charges they face.
Heroes not felons that was the message supporters had for 47 defendants who face felony charges related to a break in at Ridglan Farms.
Animal activists flooded the steps of the Dane County Courthouse as the defendants prepared for their initial court hearing each of them facing a felony.
The charges stem from March 15, when activists broke into the property of Ridglan Farms, an animal testing facility, in an attempt to free them from what they say were abusive conditions. Allegations Ridglan Farms denies.
“Things that you will never learn about her in a lab. If she smells citrus, like if you peel an orange in front of her, she sneezes. She literally stops to smell every flower she ever comes across, she chases butterflies but does not try to catch them," said J Maxwell Duran, defendant.
Duran now cares for Amelia, a former Ridglan Farms beagle. Ridglan Farms sold over 2,000 beagles to an out-of-state rescue after a public pressure campaign following the break in.
The felony charge Duran and his co-defendants face carry a maximum punishment of 12-and-a-half years in prison.
"It's terrifying to be charged with a felony," said Amy Van Aartsen, defendant. "This was not something that was on my bucket list, but I think it’s to see how long the regulatory bodies did not act to save these dogs I think we had no other choice. I really believe we did the right thing."
Despite facing a felony, the defendants remain in high spirits, and they hope regardless of what happens to them, the movement to end animal testing, especially on dogs continues.
"We saved the dogs. They needed saving and we got them out of there and we have brough the spotlight to the world. To all of these animals' plight there are so many animals that are still in labs," said Duran.
Supporters tell CBS 58 they were initially blocked from entering the courtroom to show their support for the defendants but were let in once they filed a complaint. The defendants are due back in court on Oct. 28.
CBS 58 reached out to the Dane County District Attorney who brought the charges against the activists for comment but have not heard back.