DATCP Denies Sheriff’s Office Request for Walk-Through at Ridglan Farms

April 21, 2026
Elise Schaffer, PIO
Sheriff's Office

On April 14th, Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett submitted a written request to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), to accompany them on an unannounced walk-through at Ridglan Farm in the town of Blue Mounds. On April 15th, the Sheriff received a response from DATCP, denying that request. 
DACTP confirmed that it continues to conduct unannounced inspections. The letter went on to confirm that should their inspectors find violations of state animal cruelty laws, they would contact local law enforcement and/or a Humane Officer for further investigation.
DATCP acknowledged that “an on-site assessment by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office may be sensible, but does not necessitate DATCP participation.”
DATCP also confirmed that Ridglan Farms has agreed to voluntarily surrender its DATCP dog seller license, on or before July 1, 2026, and will no longer operate as a dog breeder as defined by Wisconsin Statute 173.41.
“The Sheriff’s Office heard our citizens’ concerns about the welfare of the dogs at Ridglan Farms, and we’ve made every effort to address them,” said Sheriff Kalvin Barrett. “Without DATCP’s legal authority and expertise in state-licensed animal welfare requirements, the Sheriff’s Office lacks both legal authority and expertise in state-licensed animal welfare requirements to conduct an inspection on our own.”
If the Sheriff’s Office receives credible complaints of crimes against animals at Ridglan Farms or any other location within our jurisdiction, we will investigate those complaints.