ANIMAL WELFARE VIOLATIONS

Ridglan Farms was recently cited for over 300 violations by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) based on evidence of cruelty, mistreatment of animals and lack of proper shelter, including those of animal health and veterinary care, behavior and socialization, ventilation, and drainage and water disposal. Following these findings, which included allegations of felony animal cruelty, Ridglan agreed to surrender its state breeding license by July 1, 2026, to avoid criminal charges.

Selected violations of Ridglan over the past 5 years include but are not limited to those detailed below.

Unlicensed Surgery (Cherry Eye): Over 300 cited violations involving non-veterinary staff performing "cherry eye" (nictitans gland prolapse) surgeries, often without anesthesia or pain management. Scott Gilbertson who worked at the facility in 2021 and 2022 said he attended near-daily “cherry eye” removal surgeries in which a prolapsed tear gland within dogs’ nictitating membrane, a “third eyelid” important for eye lubrication, was cut off by an untrained employee without anesthesia, blood control, or pain relief [ref].

Unsafe Enclosures & Injuries: Dogs were housed in cramped cages with wire mesh flooring, resulting in foot injuries, including sores and blisters. Inspectors noted rusty wire in some cages and instances where puppies' legs and feet passed through the flooring [ref].

Health conditions: A number of dogs had severe, untreated injuries and cysts [ref].

Sanitation & Waste Disposal: Significant buildup of feces in dog cages, with inadequate drainage systems in multiple buildings [ref].

Ventilation & Environment: High levels of ammonia, causing strong odors that created burning sensations in the nose and throat, as well as poor air circulation [ref].

Neglect & Behavioral Issues: Documentation of "three violations" regarding failure to provide proper veterinary care for injured animals.

Severe stress: Many dogs were found exhibiting abnormal, stereotypical behaviors such as spinning in circles, pacing, and wall-bouncing, indicating distress [ref].

Solitary confinement: Hundreds of dogs were kept in solitary confinement without access to the outdoors [ref].

Other reported violations over the years include:

Severe neglect and abuse: Matthew Reich who worked at Ridglan described untreated wounds “the size of a golf ball” between animals’ toes. He said he would hold 30 or 40 paralyzed dogs, one after another, as nonveterinarian employees cut out their vocal cords; he did not see pain relief or anesthesia used [ref].