Dear Editor: I am a professor and data scientist with over 25 years of experience in biomedical data collection and analysis, including studies that employ animal models for research. The situation at Ridglan Farms is harming science, and I write to urge authorities to take action and shut Ridglan Farms down.
It is clear that Ridglan is not meeting its mission to “provide purpose bred beagles for research that increases and exceeds the expectations of the research community.†The 300-plus animal abuse citations against Ridglan provide clear evidence that the majority of dogs are suffering from psychological and physical stress (some of which are quite severe), they are being exposed to toxic levels of ammonia, and their immune systems are compromised. These conditions undermine any research conducted on the dogs, making it impossible to collect high-quality, reproducible and reliable scientific data. As a 2022 editorial in Science magazine states, “Good science requires better animal welfare.” Neither are present at Ridglan Farms.
It is compromised data in situations like this that produces innacurate and misleading scientific results, and thereby erode the public's trust in science. Ridglan continues to break the law, and I respectfully request the authorities shut them down and require them to release their dogs to sanctuaries.
Doing so will send a clear message to Wisconsin that high-quality science is valued here and will not be compromised.
Christina Kendziorski
Madison
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