Calls for Ending Federal Support for Invasive Research Involving Dogs and Cats
From the Office of Congressman Nick Langworthy,
WASHINGTON, D.C. –May 3rd, 2026… Congressman Nick Langworthy today hailed the release of 1,500 beagles from Ridglan Farms, a large-scale beagle breeding facility in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin that has been documented for grotesque animal abuses.
Ridglan Farms housed approximately 2,000 beagles bred solely for laboratory testing and has faced sustained public scrutiny, protests, and legal action over animal welfare violations, including allegations of conducting surgeries without anesthesia. Following pressure from Congressman Langworthy and others, the facility has transferred 1,5000 beagles to animal welfare organizations who have begun the rehabilitation and adoption process. Ridglan Farms is set to turn over their state license imminently.
In April, Congressman Nick Langworthy sent a letter to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya urging immediate action to end National Institutes of Health funding for research involving dogs sourced from Ridglan Farms as well as requesting a timeline to end federal support for invasive research involving dogs and cats.
In the attached letter, Congressman Langworthy commended the Trump Administration’s efforts to reduce unnecessary animal testing and modernize biomedical research, while calling for stronger action to ensure taxpayer dollars are no longer used to support invasive testing on dogs bred solely for experimentation.
Beagles are the primary breed used in animal testing because of their small size and naturally docile, submissive temperament, which makes them more appealing for lab technicians to handle even during painful procedures. They are frequently used in toxicity testing for pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and consumer beauty and health products.
“The practice of breeding dogs and cats solely for painful experimentation and euthanasia is wrong,” said Congressman Nick Langworthy. “My heart breaks for these innocent beagles who are victims of their docile temperament, and the very least we can do is ensure that not one penny of taxpayer dollars is spent on enriching the monsters responsible for inflicting such cruelty and abuse. Ridglan Farms is facing its last days, but our work is not done. I’m working with HHS to make sure we never spend another federal dollar that leads to cruelty against dogs and cats.”
Congressman Langworthy noted that even leading federal health officials, including Secretary Kennedy, have publicly questioned the necessity and reliability of animal testing models when modern alternatives can provide more accurate and ethical results.
He concluded, “We have a duty to ensure that federally funded research reflects both humane treatment and modern scientific standards. As better and more reliable alternatives continue to emerge, there is zero excuse for continuing to support painful, outdated, and unnecessary animal testing practices.”
Congressman Langworthy vowed to continue working with the Administration to advance humane research alternatives and ensure federal policy reflects both scientific innovation and compassion.
Read Langworthy’s letter to HHS and NIH
April 24, 2026
The Honorable Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya
Director of the National Institutes for Heath
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Dear Secretary Kennedy and Director Bhattacharya,
I write to commend your leadership and continued efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate unnecessary animal testing within federally funded research. The progress made under the Trump Administration towards modernizing biomedical research and limiting reliance on animal models reflects an important and humane shift in federal policy, and it is something almost all Americans can agree upon.
At the same time, I urge you to take further action by ending any National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding streams that support research involving dogs sourced from Ridglan Farms, the large-scale beagle breeding and research facility in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin.[1]
Ridglan Farms consistently houses approximately 2,000 beagles, bred solely for the purpose of experimentation, and has been the subject of sustained public concern and protest.[2] Investigations and legal proceedings have resulted in the facility agreeing to surrender its state breeding license by July 1, 2026, following allegations that included unauthorized veterinary procedures on animals.[3]
This issue is not about opposing scientific progress; it is about ensuring that federally funded research reflects both ethical standards and scientific advancement. Increasingly, experts including yourselves have questioned the necessity and reliability of animal models, particularly when modern alternatives can provide more accurate and humane results.
Given your stated commitment to reducing animal testing, I respectfully request that you:
- Provide a detailed list of active NIH-funded grants and contracts involving dogs sourced from Ridglan Farms and other commercial dog breeders;
- Immediately suspend funding for any projects that relies on Ridglan beagles; and
- Develop a clear timeline for phasing out all federal support for invasive research that uses dog and cats bred for experimentation and euthanasia.
The American people expect their tax dollars to reflect both fiscal responsibility and basic standards of humane treatment. Ending support for facilities that breed beagles for painful experimentation prior to euthanasia is consistent with those values and with the reform efforts your agencies have already begun.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued leadership on improving the ethical standards of federally funded research.
Sincerely,
Nicholas A. Langworthy
Member of Congress
[1] https://www.fox6now.com/news/defunding-barbaric-dog-cat-labs-posed-ridglan-farms-remains-under-scrutiny
[2] https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-animal-rights-protests-arrests-beagles-535d2b62a411201afd6382deac845351
[3] https://apnews.com/article/beagles-animal-rights-ridglan-wisconsin-9c6e9d7ad717146b47315cd7feaeb021
