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Natural Bridge Zoo owners file injunction, alleging violation of due process rights

Their court date was set for Dec. 20, which gives the owners approximately 10 days to prepare

NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. – The lawyer of the Natural Bridge Zoo owners has filed an injunction in an effort to delay their court hearing.

Attorney Mario Williams said the ten-day period to appear in court is unconstitutional and doesn’t give the owners enough time to prepare.

“Defendant is trying to put Plaintiffs out of business, and Defendant’s primary weapon to accomplish this task: violating Mr. and Mrs. Mogensen’s due process rights.”

The injunction also questions the credibility of the veterinarians who were used to justify the seizure of the animals.

[WATCH: Raw interview with Natural Bridge Zoo owner’s daughter, Gretchen Mogensen]

Allegations of animal abuse at the basis of a two-day search at the zoo by Virginia State Police and the Attorney General’s Office, as we’ve previously reported.

Search warrants show 95 animals were seized, both alive and dead. Parts of animals, like giraffe legs, and a zebra pelt, were seized as well.

People in the community are divided over the issue, with some saying the zoo is being targeted unfairly, and others who believe the search is justified.

Currently, zoo staff are scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 20.

Read the injunction in full below.


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Alli Graham came aboard the digital team as an evening digital content producer in June 2022.