The Wisconsin beagle breeding
and research facility
that was infiltrated by
animal activists
has shined a spotlight
on biomedical research
conducted on animals
as well as the laws
meant to protect animal welfare.
So why did you seek
this resolution with
Ridglan Farms?
Well, the conclusion I came to
is that I could charge
one of the types of things
that I was referred to by
the judge in Dane County.
I was going to charge that
but charging that would only
have started a process
that probably would have taken
six months to a year
to get to trial.
There were some issues
that could have been appealed.
So charging it would have
just been the
start of a process.
When the farm offered
to close down in exchange
of charging
I thought that was
a good outcome
because even if I had charged
and convicted them
I still had no authority
to close them down.
The fines that they had
been charged with as well
they could have just paid
and kept on running.
So I thought
them ending the business
is what most people wanted
and it's more than I could do
by charging
and it would happen much quicker
than me charging.
So I thought that was
a good resolution to have them
agree to end their business
in exchange for
not charging a crime.