LEXINGTON, Va. – Day two of Natural Bridge Zoo’s jury trial is underway after the state raided the zoo and seized nearly 100 animals in December.
On the second day of the jury trial, people in the courtroom heard from many of the same witnesses who testified in General District Court in February for a seizure hearing that was appealed.
The state raided the zoo and seized nearly 100 animals in December.
The Commonwealth called their first witnesses on Tuesday. Among those were police, investigators and veterinarians – none from Rockbridge County.
“If you own a zoo you most likely know who Rockbridge Animal Control officers are and most law enforcement officers,” said Amy Taylor, an investigator for the Attorney General’s Office. “I wanted someone to go who was not familiar with the park not familiar with the people not familiar with the area that can go in and simply see what they see.”
One vet testified she recommended the seizure of some of the animals due to thinness, a deformed horn and other things. The defense presented her with a record from another vet who disagreed with those findings.
10 News will continue to follow the court case as it unfolds. See our previous coverage here.