Special prosecutor assigned to Blue Mounds animal cruelty case

La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke will serve as special prosecutor and investigate allegations of animal cruelty levied against a Blue Mounds dog breeder, attorneys involved in the case said. Ridglan Farms is accused of abusing the beagles bred at their facility, including keeping the dogs in unsafe conditions and not taking them out for walks. A Dane County judge granted a request last month to seek a special prosecutor in the case after the petitioners said Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne refused to open an investigation despite years of repeated efforts. As special prosecutor, Gruenke will now look at the evidence in the case and could potentially bring criminal charges against Ridglan.