MADISON, Wis. -- A Dane County judge ruled on Monday in favor of animal rights activists who want to build a museum protesting animal research between two primate labs.

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Judge Sarah O'Brien ruled that a contract between the activists and a business owner for the purchase of property near the University of Wisconsin research labs is valid and enforceable. O'Brien ordered business owner Roger Charly to sell the land for $675,000 as specified in the contract.

Rick Bogle, the leader and founder of the Primate Freedom Project, which is the organization behind the proposed museum, started hugging his wife in court after the judge announced her ruling.

The case arose after Roger Charly, owner of the Budget Bicycle Center stores on Regent Street in Madison, tried to back out of the deal to sell a warehouse to the animal rights group, WISC-TV reported.

The Primate Freedom Project filed a lawsuit to force the sale.

The group offered Charly the money for the property before a consortium backed by the UW put up $1 million, WISC-TV reported.

O'Brien said that Bogle has no history of violence.

"He has made some threats undoubtedly," she said. "The university is wise to be concerned that individuals opposed to the research in the primate labs or other types of research in other labs across the campus might take some physical acts to halt the research."

O'Brien said that the opposition to the museum stems from feelings of opposition to the its mission.

"Clearly, Bogle intends to operate the museum there. There is no evidence he has engaged in dangerous behavior despite extensive protests against primate research facilities," she said. "What is apparent is that the university and its staff might be embarrassed and annoyed by the proximity of the proposed museum."

Bogle said that the museum will feature graphic depictions of what he considers the cruelty of research on animals.

"What we're trying to do is create debate," Bogle said. "We want people to think about the issue and we think the more we talk about the issue, the more people will believe what's going on is a crime."

Dr. Joe Kemnitz, director of the National Primate Research Center, said that the judge's decision is very disheartening to his staff. Kemnitz cautioned that the fight is far from over. He said that this case could go all the way up to the state Supreme Court, and until then, the property will remain in legal limbo. This could mean plans for the museum are on hold, WISC-TV reported.

Charly said that he plans an appeal.