PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Over the weekend, hundreds of rescued beagles arrived in South Florida.
They came by bus to Loxahatchee’s Big Dog Ranch Rescue to start a new journey with a new purpose.
“In total, over 1,500 dogs have been rescued, and they’re all finding themselves to new rescues and shelters,” said Big Dog Ranch Rescue VP of Development Evan Nader.
In a violent clash in Wisconsin earlier this spring, animal welfare activists from across the country made their way to Ridglan Farms.
The beagle breeding and research facility was facing charges of felony animal mistreatment and gave up its state breeding license to avoid prosecution.
Local 10 News spoke to one activist from Miami in April who traveled to Wisconsin with the mission of saving the dogs.
“We looked at it as doing what needed to be done to save dogs that are criminally abused,” said Ella Magers.
Since March, protesters were tear gassed, pepper sprayed and arrested by Wisconsin law enforcement while trying to get the dogs out.
Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy negotiated a confidential agreement to buy the 1,500 dogs from Ridglan Farms.
“Every day at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, we conduct life-saving work,” said Nader. “We are America’s largest cage-free, no-kill rescue. But I think this rescue mission is probably one of our most special, one of the biggest in American history as well.”
The first 200 dogs were taken from the facility last Friday and more are scheduled to come to Big Dog Ranch Rescue and to other rescues soon.
“If you’re interested in adopting, you can go to our website, BDRR.org,” said Nader. “They’re about two to three weeks before they’re available for adoption.”
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