Scott I have not seen the report. This is coming from Channel 9. I think there is some discrepancy about the cause of death. Either way, it is a violation since they were not permitted to use those drugs w/o a vet and it is always wrong to drown and animal.

Scott, think about it... If they had access to a tranqualizer drug then why would ANYONE... in their right mind think they needed to drown the animal. It just doesn't make since... Yes they probably should have had the vet come in and give the 5 minutes shot but if they didn't atleast they didn't make the sick animal continue to be in pain. I wish this world would treat human being with such kindness.

irret, I think that is a great idea and agree with you about the kind of life these animals have.

Yes, we had that same info in yesterday's Patch story. She says she euthanized the animal: http://patch.com/A-v4Mt

Then why was it wet? This is not adding up. I hope a toxicology report was requested!! Then the truth will be known.

Doug - Here Dad owns the place!

Dad's the owner or not, she still seems to be in over her head -- too much responsibility not enough knowledge/education/resources. Dad can't want to see his daughter facing criminal charges . . .

I have reached the same conclusion. These animals deserve better.

I'm not sure "better" exists for most animals these days. Everywhere animals are losing their homes due to human spread.

I lovedd the safari park - so much fun to interact with so many animals.

Jacqueline - Re: property values. I have always thought that was the odd part of the Reston Zoo's deal. The place has been there for a long time - through several housing booms. The land is probably still worth a fortune - witness the many large homes and developments that surround it - yet the zoo remains. Regardless of the economy, the land has got to be worth more than they take in as a business annually. Any real estate experts want to weigh in?

Please correct me if I am wrong. But wasn't there some sort of land deal with the developer and FFX Co? The developer agreed to lease the land to the zoo (for very little money) in exchange for the ability to develop the surrounding land?

Reston on my laurels - interesting. I had not heard that as that deal predates Patch by about 20 years. But I will check it out. Could be a good story update.

Having grown up nearby, what most of you may not realize is that the entire piece of land north of lake fairfax drive bordered by 606 on the west and Lake Fairfax Park on the East and south of Hunter Mill Road was inhabited by exotic animals for years as part of the "Pet-a-Pet Farm". Every day you might see a herd of zebra or buffalo or flock of ostriches. then they built the houses off of Hunt Club Drive/ Dasher Ln and Park Lake Drive which eliminated the range for the larger animals. That must be when Pet-a-Pet farm became "Reston Zoo" and maybe there was a zoning deal to leave the Zoo portion of the land when they built on the rest. It was wonderful seeing those animals roaming every morning.

Here's a video someone took of it back then, where you can see the Buffalo, etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4kV85Rb4dA

I am simply speechless with this warped post!

Scott, I think Wade was being sarcastic...

Mike -I hope you are right about Wade. We live amongst some weirdos who have no respect for living beings and things.

Actually Deanne petting zoo are very profitable. You gave me some food for thought in your post and so I searched "profitability of petting zoo" and nearly a 40 sites spout the profitability of these small zoo's.

I was not surprised as why would the owner own several locations in addition to Reston...he makes money at it...after all is the not the American dream? However, once you start dealing with living creatures you assume the responsibility for such. Proper housing, health care, food, staff, insurance, taxes and so on and so forth.

My guess is that when an event occurs and it threatens the bottom line, these Mom and Pop operations will do whatever it takes to save money. In this case the animal was in need of professional medical care....oh so much for my bonus....let me drown in and throw in in the dumpster and all is well with the world..... Unfortunately for this Director her staff who loves animals turned her a** in and so she will pay for her greed!

I had a similar reaction to Shelley Lynn's. Since the director has been arrested and charged, clearly the authorities are taking the complaint seriously. I don't want to assume she's guilty until that is determined. And if the zoo can fix the problems, then it probably should get the chance to do that. I worry for some of the animals, particularly the ones that are farm animals, if the zoo is closed. I don't think their futures would be all that bright.

There is an animal sanctuary (not a zoo) near where I grew up in New England and I can see it's very hard for them to raise money through donations. A lot of the animals they get are sick, but can be made well again. Some are elderly but healthy - I was surprised to learn a lot of people get rid of their old llamas. The sanctuary takes them in. They also care for newborn animals that would be permitted to die or slaughtered on factory farms, but that could be made well again with proper care. In order to do that, they are constantly struggling.

I keep wondering if the zoo closed, then where is the local sanctuary for the animals? There are a lot of animals there. I'd like to see the zoo reopen, if it can meet all the applicable rules and regulations and if it can properly care for its animals.

In my post, I meant "I'd like to see the zoo STAY open, if it can meet..." (It's not "closed" closed - it's just temporarily closed because of the derecho/power.)