MADISON, Wis. – The veterinarian in charge of a controversial Wisconsin dog breeding farm will remain suspended – at least for now.
What they’re saying:
A hearing Wednesday centered on Dr. Rick Van Domelen, the facility manager at Ridglan Farms. After a full day of testimony, Judge Angela Roy upheld the emergency suspension while his disciplinary case continues.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android
In September, the state’s Veterinary Examining Board suspended Van Domelen on an emergency basis. The board said he posed a danger to animals after he was found delegating painful cherry eye surgeries and dental extractions to unlicensed employees who failed to use proper anesthesia.
A Ridglan Farms lawyer argued the dogs never felt any pain or distress.
Open Record: End of the Line
Ridglan Farms has been in the business of breeding and selling beagles for scientific research since 1966, but that ends next year.
“I think that’s insanity. And I would ask that a video be shown of this procedure being performed the way that it’s being done, without anesthesia and without pain medicine,” said Jamie Hagenow with Dane4Dogs. “We should see if they would be willing to do that. Then I think it would become quite clear if there is pain and distress.”
Dig deeper:
FOX6 was not allowed to show the hearing. In a surprise decision Wednesday, Judge Angela Foy ruled no recordings would be allowed inside the hearing room at the state’s Hill Farms Office Building in Madison. She did not explain why.
The backstory:
Ridglan Farms, a Dane County facility, breeds beagles for scientific research. It agreed to give up its breeding license by next summer to avoid criminal charges of animal cruelty.
The Source: FOX6 Investigators reviewed the hearing and prior coverage related to Ridglan Farms.
FOX6 InvestigatorsNewsWisconsin
