Over 2,000 'lab beagles' breathe fresh air for the first time following massive rescue from 60-year-old supplier
Simmons, the founder of Big Dog Rescue Ranch, took the last 155 dogs after coordinating the release of every last one
For several years, thousands of beagles were destined to suffer in claustrophobic, windowless metallic chambers, cramped into narrow, stacked wire cages. They spent their lives without seeing natural light or touching fresh outdoor grass. But thanks to some animal rights investigation groups, they are finally taking their first breath of freedom. An August 18, 2026, report by CBS News highlighted this rescue operation as part of a monthlong relocation effort initiated by Big Dog Ranch Rescue. It was their founder's rallying cry that ensured the facility was left empty by the end of the operation.
First breath of freedom
“Not one dog will remain,” said Lauree Simmons, founder of Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Florida, in a press conference, where she also announced, “No more breeding, no more testing, no more anything.” The last release of 155 dogs was preceded by other rescue operations that aided more than 2,000 beagles from the beagle breeding and research facility named Ridglan. Simmons coordinated all of it to ensure not a single one was left behind.
Suspicious 'standards'
It started when an investigation by CBS News found a discrepancy between the state and federal laws and what was being followed at Ridglan. Although most research dogs in commercial breeding facilities are regulated by the federal Animal Welfare Act and state animal-welfare and licensing laws, Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s 2024-2025 investigation uncovered 494 violations here. In January 2025, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Rhonda Lanford finally sensed the probability of Ridglan committing animal cruelty and appointed a prosecutor to investigate the crime. Ridglan denied violating any laws and defended the beagles’ condition by citing its history of animal care.
Still, when CBS News investigated USDA’s inspection records, it found four violations at the breeding facility and two at the research facility over the past decade. "To me, that doesn't make any sense. When you have that amount of violations, clearly that stood out," Representative Mark Pocan said. USDA assured the news outlet that it’s working to maximize the enforcement outcomes.
The sad reason why beagles are chosen
According to USDA statistics cited by KPBS, nearly 60,000 beagles are bred each year in the country for animal research, testing, and experimentation. Kathleen Conlee, a former animal researcher, reflected that the “docile” nature of these creatures makes them the victims of such inhumane torture. "They choose beagles because they're easy to handle and they're so forgiving. You hurt them one day, and they will forgive you the next and let you do it all over again. This is inhumane," added Simmons.
What kind of science is this?
Viewers who saw this rescue operation report were enraged and saddened at the state of these innocent beagles. @Sleepswithdogs2 commented, “Surgery without anaesthesia? I find that horrifying and barbaric!” @popmybubblegum remarked, “Literal torture.”
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