Baywatch Icon Alexandra Paul Arrested in Wisconsin Following Direct Action Operation to Free Research Beagles

Former Baywatch star Alexandra Paul faces trespassing charges in Wisconsin after a beagle rescue. The veteran activist was one of 20 people detained.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 4:12 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Daily Mail

A Dawn Raid for Animal Liberation

The quiet morning in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, was shattered as a large group of activists descended upon Ridglan Farms, a facility known for breeding beagles for scientific research. Alexandra Paul, best known for her role as Stephanie Holden on the television series Baywatch, was among those who entered the property without legal permission. According to the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, between fifty and sixty individuals took part in the coordinated effort to remove animals from the site. The actress was subsequently booked into the county jail on a single count of trespassing, appearing in a mugshot wearing a jail issued shirt.

Legal Fallout and Seized Evidence

Law enforcement officials reported that the scale of the operation led to a total of twenty arrests following the unauthorized entry. During the intervention, the Sheriff’s Office seized two vehicles along with various tools described as burglary equipment. While Wayne Hsiung, the co founder of Direct Action Everywhere, claimed that twenty-two dogs were successfully rescued, authorities stated that some of the animals were recovered and returned to the breeding facility. Several beagles remain unaccounted for as investigators continue to process evidence collected at the scene.

Balancing Public Safety and Free Speech

Sheriff Kalvin Barrett issued a formal statement addressing the tension between the passionate beliefs of the activists and the legal requirements of property rights. He acknowledged the deep empathy many people feel for the animals at Ridglan Farms but emphasized that the role of the Sheriff’s Office is to respond to unlawful activity. Barrett encouraged those with concerns regarding animal welfare or laboratory research practices to seek change through constructive and lawful avenues rather than civil disobedience. The investigation into the weekend’s events remains active as prosecutors determine the final charges for the participants.