DANE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Officials say protestors are attempting to break into the Ridgland Farms property in the Town of Blue Mounds and take several beagles.

The facility is used to bread beagles that are used in scientific research.

A standoff with the Dane County Sheriff's Office is ongoing on Saturday, April 18, with the protest taking place one day sooner than planned. 

Ridgland Farms

In a Facebook post, Dane County Sheriff's officials say these protests have turned violent, and there are 300 to 400 activists that are trying to break-in and assault deputies and others on the property.

The activists apparently have break-in tools, they are cutting through the fence, and have breached through with a vehicle and drove around the property:

WISC Channel 3000 in Madison has reported a leader of the movement has been arrested, and no dogs have been rescued as of 11:43 a.m.

As of 1:00 p.m., Ridglan Farms released a statement at around 1:00 p.m., stating "At this hour, the violent attack on Ridglan Farms by animal rights extremists continues."

They also released the picture of the truck they say rammed the gate of the facility at approximately 10:00 a.m. this morning. 

Ridgland Farms

The protest comes one month after activists were arrested after breaking into the farm, and taking several beagles, after the facility had previously agreed to surrender their breeding license by July 1 of this year as part of a settlement following an animal welfare investigation.

CBS 58 will continue to update you on-air and online as the protest develops.