Corinne Hess

Ridgeland Farms near Madison, Wisconsin is expected to close this summer.

But animal rights activists say the 2,000 dogs being held there are being mistreated.

Ridgeland is one of the country's largest breeders of beagles for research.

Dane County Sheriff Kelvin Barrett says about 400 violent activists attempted to break into the facility.

Madison activist Amy Van Artisan says police used tear gas on protesters.

The protest was planned for Sunday, but moved up a day by activists.

For NPR News, I'm Corrine Hess in Milwaukee.