Concerns over animal welfare are reaching a breaking point in Wisconsin, drawing activists from across the country -- including one woman who traveled from Miami.

What began as a protest outside a controversial breeding facility escalated into a chaotic confrontation.

Nearly 1,000 animal welfare activists gathered over the weekend at Ridglan Farms, a beagle breeding and research facility under scrutiny for raising animals used in scientific and medical research.

Among them was Ella Magers, who made the 1,500-mile trip from Miami.

When asked if she planned to break into the facility, Magers said she saw it as necessary.

“Well again, we looked at it as doing what needed to be done to save dogs that are criminally abused,” she said.

Momentum has been building since March, when protesters broke into the facility and took 30 dogs. More than two dozen people were arrested on trespassing and other charges.

Ridglan Farms described this past weekend’s encounter as “an assault,” posting a statement on its website accusing activists of spreading false and misleading claims about its research and commitment to animal welfare.

The facility also shared video it says shows a participant crashing a vehicle through a gate during the protest.

Meanwhile, Magers said she remains focused on finding homes for the beagles.

“I’m still on a mission here because we’re not going to stop fighting until these dogs are free,” she said.

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