The Brief A Wisconsin dog breeding farm has been asked to pay a $55,000 fine over alleged animal welfare violations. Ridglan Farms updateWhat we know:For nearly 60 years, Ridglan Farms has been breeding beagle puppies for scientific research. Officials asked Ridglan Farms to agree to 311 violations of state animal welfare regulations and pay a $55,000 fine. Ridglan Farms said they believed the surgeries were legal because the animals involved are research animals, not breeding animals – and research animals have a lower standard of what constitutes humane treatment. We hope these changes are not associated with any pressures being exerted by groups or individuals opposed to animal research.