Beagles bred for research get new life amid questions over federal oversight
The USDA's own inspector general has repeatedly raised concerns about federal oversight of dog breeders.
August 18, 2026 / 5:35 PM EDT / CBS News
The final 155 beagles from Ridglan Farms, a Wisconsin facility that bred dogs for biomedical research, are beginning new lives after being relocated to a Florida rescue — the last of more than 2,000 dogs released from the facility this year.
Despite a growing push to reduce animal testing , USDA records show that more than 37,000 dogs were used in U.S. research last year. Many research dogs come from commercial breeding facilities regulated under the federal Animal Welfare Act as well as state animal-welfare and licensing laws. But a CBS News investigation found a stark disparity between state and federal regulatory findings at Ridglan — raising questions about federal government oversight at these facilities.
Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection investigated Ridglan between 2024 and 2025 and identified 494 violations, with several pertaining to dogs being handled in a practicable and humane manner.
In January 2025, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Rhonda Lanford found probable cause to believe Ridglan had committed crimes under Wisconsin's laws against animal cruelty, and appointed a special prosecutor to investigate alleged violations.
The facility ended up reaching a settlement to avoid criminal prosecution, agreeing to surrender its state license to sell dogs last month. Ridglan says it did not violate any state or federal laws.