Television actress Alexandra Paul, best known for her role as Lt. Stephanie Holden on "Baywatch," was arrested on Sunday, March 15, 2026, during a direct action protest at Ridglan Farms, a commercial beagle breeding operation in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. Paul was among approximately 20 individuals taken into custody by deputies from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office after a group of 50 to 60 activists allegedly forced their way onto the property and removed dogs.
The incident unfolded around 8:30 a.m. at the facility, located roughly 30 miles west of Madison. According to reports from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a trespassing call at Ridglan Farms. Workers at the farm informed local television station WMTV that the intruders cut through a chain-link fence and a gate before gaining entry to the building itself. Footage from the scene reportedly showed individuals, many dressed in white protective suits, entering the facility and emerging carrying dogs.
Animal rights organization Direct Action Everywhere (DxE) claimed responsibility for orchestrating the operation, stating its members rescued 30 beagles from the farm. However, law enforcement officials were able to recover eight of those dogs, which were subsequently returned to Ridglan Farms. Several animals reportedly remained unaccounted for following the arrests. In addition to the arrests, two vehicles were seized at the scene, along with burglary tools and other items collected as evidence by responding deputies. Alexandra Paul remained in Dane County Jail as of Tuesday morning, according to jail records.
Ridglan Farms holds a significant position within the American research industry, being one of only two large-scale dog breeders in the United States that supply animals to scientific research laboratories. The facility has, however, been under scrutiny prior to Sunday's events. In October 2025, Ridglan Farms announced its intention to cease supplying dogs to research labs, a decision that followed mounting animal cruelty allegations and pending investigations. Furthermore, under a separate agreement reached with the La Crosse County District Attorney, Ridglan Farms agreed to stop operating under its Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection license, with that arrangement scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett issued a public statement addressing the arrests and the underlying concerns. "The Dane County Sheriff’s Office understands how deeply people feel for the beagles at Ridglan Farms, and we respect their right to express that passion through peaceful protests," Barrett stated. He emphasized the role of law enforcement in maintaining order: "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." Sheriff Barrett concluded by reaffirming the office's commitment: "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.”
In defense of the activists' actions, Direct Action Everywhere co-founder Wayne Hsiung released a statement. “We did what we believed was necessary to bring the dogs to safety after authorities declined to intervene,” Hsiung asserted, framing the intervention as a necessary response to perceived inaction by authorities regarding animal welfare.
This incident is not Alexandra Paul's first encounter with law enforcement regarding animal activism. Over the past decade, the actress has been arrested multiple times during protests targeting various agricultural facilities across California. These past actions include demonstrations at a slaughterhouse in Oakland, a chicken farm in Petaluma, and a duck farm also in the Petaluma area. In 2021, Paul faced a misdemeanor theft charge after allegedly taking two chickens from a Foster Farms truck, though a Fresno jury ultimately found her not guilty in 2023. The recent events at Ridglan Farms underscore the ongoing tension between animal rights activists employing direct action and legal authorities tasked with upholding property rights and public safety.
