MADISON, Wis. — A Dane County judge will decide whether jurors in a case against four animal-rights activists can hear evidence about conditions at Ridglan Farms, where the defendants say they went to protect dogs. In pretrial motions filed Monday, prosecutors asked the court to exclude evidence about the health and living conditions of animals at the facility, as well as alleged or confirmed regulatory violations. The state argues those matters do not legally justify the defendants’ actions. Prosecutors also want to bar references to findings by Judge Rhonda Lanford in an earlier Ridglan Farms proceeding and to findings, reports or actions involving special prosecutor Tim Gruenke. They argue that evidence about earlier alleged conduct could confuse jurors or unfairly prejudice them. The state is also seeking to exclude references to actions by the Wisconsin Veterinary Examining Board involving former Ridglan veterinarian Richard Van Domelen. The motions ask the judge to prevent the defense from relying on necessity, coercion and defense of others. Prosecutors argue Wisconsin law does not permit those defenses to justify actions taken to protect animals. The charges stem from a March 15 incident at Ridglan Farms in which activists entered the facility and removed 22 beagles. The four defendants named in the filing are Wayne Hsiung, Aditya Aswani, Dean Wyrzykowski and Michelle Lunsky. They have said their actions were intended to protect dogs at the facility. The judge has not yet ruled. The decision could shape what jurors hear about the facility and the defendants’ stated reasons for entering it.