Baywatch star Alexandra Paul has been taken into custody for her involvement in an incident at a research animal breeding facility in Wisconsin. The actress, known for her role as Stephanie Holden in the popular TV series, was apprehended along with 20 others for allegedly trespassing on Ridglan Farms. This facility is known for raising animals for scientific and medical research purposes.
According to the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, Paul, aged 62, and a group of around 50-60 protesters entered the facility and removed several beagle dogs. A total of 31 dogs were taken, with eight intercepted by law enforcement. Paul was among those involved in the incident.
Paul was charged with misdemeanor trespassing and has been released pending a court appearance. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that all the taken dogs were safely recovered without any harm inflicted on them.
Sheriff Kalvin Barrett emphasized the importance of peaceful protests while ensuring public safety. He encouraged individuals with concerns about animal welfare to address them through legal and constructive means. Ridglan Farms has denied previous allegations of animal mistreatment and stated compliance with relevant regulations.
In a separate incident, Paul faced misdemeanor theft charges for allegedly taking chickens from a truck in 2021, but she was later acquitted. The actress has a history of animal activism, starting from her teenage years when she adopted a vegetarian lifestyle. Over the years, she progressed to become a vegan and strictly avoided using makeup tested on animals as part of her acting contracts.