Baywatch actor Alexandra Paul has been arrested for allegedly freeing 30 beagles from a controversial animal breeding facility.
Paul, 62, was among 20 animal rights protesters taken into custody Sunday morning after police said a group of about 60 activists were caught on camera breaking into Ridglan Farms — a lab outside of Madison, Wisconsin, that has been known to breed beagles to be used in scientific research.
The nineties icon, who played Lt. Stephanie Holden on the legendary lifeguard series from 1992 to 1997, remains in the Dane County Jail ahead of her arraignment as of Tuesday morning, according to online jail records.
Activist group Direct Action Everywhere said they rescued 30 beagles from the alleged puppy mill, but noted that police took eight dogs away from the protesters.
“We did what we believed was necessary to bring the dogs to safety after authorities declined to intervene,” Direct Action Everywhere co-founder Wayne Hsiung, who helped organize the protest, said in a statement from jail.
“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,” Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said Monday in a statement. “Our role is to keep everyone safe and to respond when unlawful activity takes place.”
The sheriff continued, “We encourage anyone with concerns about animal welfare or research practices to engage through lawful and constructive avenues. 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.”
Footage shared on social media showed members of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, dressed in all white protective gear, breaking into the facility in Blue Mounds and taking barking dogs out of their cages.
Ridglan Farms told local station WMTV that the activists cut a chain-link fence and gate to get inside the building. Police seized two vehicles at the scene, along with tools like sledgehammers and electric saws.
The facility has previously denied animal abuse allegations and recently agreed that by July 1 of this year, it would stop selling dogs purposefully bred for biomedical research.
This is not the first time that Paul has been arrested for her involvement in animal rights. Her potential trespassing charge comes five years after the Dragnet actor was accused of taking two chickens from a farm truck. She was charged with misdemeanor theft and ultimately found not guilty.
