“Baywatch” actress Alexandra Paul was arrested in Wisconsin over the weekend for allegedly taking part in a caught-on-camera animal rights sting to free beagles from a controversial breeding facility.
The 62-year-old actress was among 20 animal rights protesters nabbed for trespassing following the operation at Ridglan Farms — a breeding facility in Blue Mounds, about 30 miles west of Madison, authorities said.
The 90s’ star and roughly 60 fellow activists — all clad in white protective suits — were filmed breaking into the facility on Sunday morning and clutching the pooches tightly as they filed out.
Members of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs bragged that 31 dogs were taken, but authorities managed to intercept eight of them.
“Some of the beagles taken were recovered and returned to Ridglan Farms but several beagles remain unaccounted for,” Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said.
“Two vehicles, along with burglary tools and other evidence, were seized at the scene.”
Ridglan Farms has become the target of animal rights activists in the past given the facility breeds beagles that are used in scientific research, according to local outlet WMTV.
“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,” the sheriff said.
“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.”
Paul is best known for playing Lt. Stephanie Holden on “Baywatch” between1992 and 1997.
She has had multiple run-ins with the law in recent years over her involvement in animal rights.
The actress was charged with misdemeanor theft — but later found not guilty — of taking two chickens from a Foster Farms truck in California in 2021.
Read the full article here
