Tensions are rising as animal rights activists prepare to rescue beagles from a Dane County breeding and testing facility.

Activists aim to deploy 2,000 people to "rescue" all remaining beagles from Ridglan Farms this weekend. Authorities are warning protesters against further illegal entry or property damage. The Dane County Sheriff is recommending criminal charges for 63 individuals following a previous raid at the facility in March.

Ridglan Farms is a facility about 30 miles outside Madison licensed by the state as a dog breeding operation. It breeds thousands of beagles and sells them to laboratories for medical and scientific research and has operated for nearly 60 years.

Organizers say over 1,700 people are committed to nonviolence. In a statement, Ridglan Farms called the planned April 19 operation an illegal break-in.