Baywatch Star Alexandra Paul Arrested for Freeing Dogs From Wisconsin Breeding Mill

Baywatch actress Alexandra Paul was charged with trespassing after she allegedly broke into a dog breeding facility on 15 March.

Paul joined about 60 protesters who allegedly snuck into Wisconsin's Ridglan Farms, to rescue dogs bred for biomedical research. 20 people were arrested including Paul, who remains detained as of 17 March, per People.

'Some activists broke into the facility and began removing numerous dogs' at around 8:30am, according to the Dane County Sheriff's Office. Authorities have yet to return all of the dogs the group took from the farm, but they have recovered some of the beagles.

'[The DCSO] understands how deeply people feel for the beagles at Ridglan Farms, and we respect their right to express that passion through peaceful protests,' Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said in a statement.

'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,' the Sheriff added.

A Life-long Animal Rights Advocate

In her 2011 interview with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Paul said her animal activism started at 14, when she became a vegetarian. At 26, she stopped wearing any clothing made from animal skins, and at 47 she became a vegan.

Having played Lt. Stephanie Holden for five years in Baywatch, Paul said that not wearing 'any makeup tested on animals' was a non-negotiable part of her acting contracts.

At 62, Paul remains committed to her advocacy. In September 2021, she was charged with misdemeanour theft after she allegedly took two chickens from a Foster Farms truck. She was acquitted by a Merced County jury in March 2023.

Ridglan Farms Pivots Amid Animal Abuse Claims

In October 2025, Ridglan Farms announced that it would stop supplying dogs to laboratories. The decision stemmed from pending investigations after mounting allegations of animal cruelty.

Per an agreement with the La Crosse County District Attorney, Ridglan Farms will no longer operate under its Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection License. The facility is expected to complete the transition on or before 1 July 2026 to avoid penalties, according to WKOW 27.

'Ridglan Farms is in the process of entering a new chapter in our mission to improve the health of pets and humans alike,' the farm said in a statement. 'Despite the challenges of the past few months, we are tremendously proud of the outstanding care we provide to our animals, which play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of cutting-edge veterinary and medical treatments. '

'We remain fully committed to the continuous improvement of our operations, protocols and practices to ensure our animals continue to receive the best care possible,' it added. 'Moving forward, we remain committed to combatting disease and improving health in dogs and humans alike.'

The Scourge of Beagle Mills in the US

Ridglan Farms is just one of the major 'beagle mills' in the U.S. Envigo, a large beagle breeding facility in Cumberland, Virginia, ceased operations in September 2022 after pleading guilty to charges of dog neglect.

Laboratories prefer beagles for experiments because they are small, gentle, and easy to exploit, according to a PETA advocate. 'Every year, tens of thousands of dogs are bred, sold, and experimented on in the U.S. in useless experiments that fail to produce cures for human diseases. Most don't make it out alive,' it added.