For the people who spent years speaking up for the welfare of thousands of Beagles, a long-awaited moment has finally arrived. The decision brought an overwhelming mix of relief, gratitude, and emotion to animal advocates who refused to give up during a lengthy investigation into serious allegations of mistreatment. After years of questions, evidence gathering, and public concern, Wisconsin regulators permanently revoked the license of the veterinarian at the center of the case. For many who followed the investigation from the beginning, the ruling represents both accountability for the past and renewed hope for the dogs whose lives were forever changed.
Amy Van Aartsen, co-founder of The Marty Project, said she became emotional as she read through the Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board’s newly released 28-page final order.
“This makes me so happy,” Van Aartsen said. “I think we’ve all waited for this day for such a long time.”
The order officially concludes the disciplinary case against Richard Van Domelen, who served as facility manager and lead veterinarian at Ridglan Farms. The facility has bred Beagles for scientific research since 1966 and became the focus of an extensive state investigation over the past two years.
According to investigators, Van Domelen delegated hundreds of veterinary procedures to people who were not licensed veterinarians. The reported procedures included eye surgeries, vocal cord removals, and dental extractions. State regulators also found allegations that proper anesthesia was not consistently used during some procedures. One of the allegations that shocked animal advocates involved dental extractions being performed without anesthesia.
“I can’t fathom,” Van Aartsen said when discussing the findings.
Investigators also interviewed former employees during the inquiry. One former worker reportedly told investigators that ketamine was administered only to dogs that struggled or moved during procedures, raising additional concerns about the animals’ treatment. For advocates who have followed the case from the beginning, the investigation has always been about protecting animals from unnecessary suffering.
“These poor pups were subject to such cruelty,” Van Aartsen said. While Van Aartsen has long supported alternatives to animal testing, she emphasized that this case extends beyond the broader debate over research animals. “This is not about animal research at all. This is about animal cruelty,” she said.
A New Chapter for the Beagles
The board voted on Tuesday, July 28, to permanently revoke Van Domelen’s veterinary license for what it described as unprofessional conduct. Although Van Domelen had agreed in May to voluntarily surrender his license, that decision only became public after the Veterinary Examining Board formally accepted the surrender and issued its final order.
The decision represents another major development in the gradual closure of Ridglan Farms. The facility has already surrendered both its state and federal breeding licenses, ending its role as a breeder of research Beagles. Perhaps the most hopeful part of the story is what has happened to the dogs themselves.
Nearly 2,000 Ridglan Beagles have already left the facility and found new opportunities through rescue organizations. Many of those dogs are now beginning lives far different from the ones they previously knew, with rescue groups working to help them adjust to home environments, experience kindness, and receive the care they deserve.
Their transition has required patience, as many of the Beagles had never experienced everyday family life. Rescue organizations have continued providing medical care, rehabilitation, and socialization to help the dogs gain confidence and prepare for permanent homes.
The final group of Beagles is expected to leave Ridglan Farms sometime in August, bringing an end to a chapter that drew widespread public attention and sparked calls for stronger oversight. For the advocates who spent years seeking accountability, the board’s decision is more than a disciplinary action. It represents recognition of the concerns they raised and offers hope that thousands of Beagles will now have the chance to experience safer, happier lives.
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