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Testimony in the Natural Bridge Zoo hearing wrapped up Wednesday evening, the third day of the hearing in Lexington/Rockbridge General District Court.
This hearing will determine whether the 95 animals seized from the zoo in December will return to owners Karl and Debbie Mogensen, or be forfeited to the state.
On the first day of the hearing, Dec. 20, the state called in several expert witnesses to testify to the claim of “direct and immediate harm” that necessitated state seizure.
More state witnesses, including Dr. Ernesto Dominguez, who was lead veterinarian on the team that executed the original search warrant at the zoo on Dec. 6, spoke on Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday, attorneys for the Natural Bridge Zoo brought in a series of their own expert witnesses to testify to the welfare of animals kept at the zoo, as well as Gretchen Mogensen, who manages day-to-day operations at the zoo.
No ruling was delivered Wednesday. Attorneys for the Mogensens and the state will have 48 hours to submit their closing arguments in writing, and a ruling is expected next week.
Details about this week's testimony will be included in next week's issue of The News-Gazette.
