Rockbridge County Jury Deliberates Fate of 100 Animals Seized from Natural Bridge Zoo

LEXINGTON, Va. – A Rockbridge County jury is now tasked with deciding the fate of 100 zoo animals following a six-day trial at the county’s circuit court. The animals were seized by law enforcement in December from the Natural Bridge Zoo, and the jury must determine whether each animal was cruelly treated or subjected to deprivation of care, leading to a “direct and immediate threat” to their well-being. To prove their case, the county only needs to establish one of these conditions for each animal. Animals that are not proven to have been mistreated beyond … Read more

Virginia Judge Orders ‘Disposal’ of Animals Seized from Natural Bridge Zoo, Citing Cruelty and Inadequate Care

LEXINGTON, Virginia — A significant ruling was made by a judge in Virginia on Friday regarding the fate of animals seized from the Natural Bridge Zoo. Out of the 96 animals confiscated last month following an investigation by the state attorney general, 57 will not be returned to the zoo. The judge determined that these animals were subjected to cruelty or inadequate care, leading to their disposals. The remaining 39 animals will be returned to the zoo due to insufficient evidence supporting their seizure. The decision was the result of a case heard in the … Read more

Judge Rules 57 Seized Animals from Virginia Roadside Zoo to Find New Homes, 39 to Return Amid Cruelty Allegations

NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. – A judge has ruled that many of the animals recently seized from a roadside zoo in Virginia will not be returned, following an investigation by the state attorney general. Rockbridge General District Court Judge Gregory Mooney determined on Friday that the animals taken from the Natural Bridge Zoo had been subject to abuse or neglect. As a result, 57 out of the 96 animals will be “disposed” of, meaning they will be placed with a humane society or animal shelter for adoption. The decision comes after Attorney General Jason Miyares’ office … Read more

Former President Trump Slams ‘Animals’ and ‘Bad People’ Judges in Pre-Trial Outburst

Former President Donald Trump criticized the judges overseeing his legal cases, referring to them as “animals” and expressing his frustration with the judge presiding over a trial set to begin this week. Trump claimed that the judge denied his request to delay the trial so he could attend his mother-in-law’s funeral. However, the judge had actually granted Trump more time for the case. The specific judge Trump targeted was Manhattan federal Judge Lewis Kaplan, who is overseeing a defamation case against Trump brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump accused Kaplan and other unspecified judges … Read more