By Tyler Rothwell
A Virginia appellate court has denied an appeal made by the owners of the Natural Bridge Zoo Park.
During a six-day trial in March 2024, a jury found that 71 of 100 animals had been cruelly treated at the zoo. Karl and Deborah Mogensen, owners and operators of the zoo, later appealed the Rockbridge County Circuit Court jury’s ruling.
The Mogensens raised four issues on their appeal. They argued that since they are inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture, they are exempt from forfeiture. Secondly, they said that the circuit court invalidly denied their motion for an evidentiary hearing. They also alleged that the circuit court made an error in excluding a testimony by Gretchen Mogensen at trial. Finally, they denied that they cruelly treated any animals.
On Tuesday, the appellate court affirmed the judgements of the circuit court, finding that 71 animals had been cruelly treated and are to be forfeited to the state.
Many of the animals suffered injuries due to unsafe enclosures because of poor ventilation and lighting issues. Rockbridge County supplied the appellate court with thousands of photographs documenting the living conditions.
Gretchen Mogensen has been serving a 100-day jail sentence at the Rockbridge Regional Jail since Oct. 29 after failing to give two baby giraffes to the state.
Gretchen Mogensen remains in jail as her sentence nears a close.
The Mogensens have not issued a statement. A message left with their attorney by the Rockbridge Report was not immediately returned.