Politics & Government

Speak Out: Does Verdict Alter Your Zoo Plans?

Reston Zoo director Meghan Mogensen was found guilty of cruelty to animals and possession of a controlled substance in death of a wallaby last winter. Will you still visit the Reston Zoo?

Meghan Mogensen, the director of the was found guilty by a Fairfax County General District Court judge late on Friday for her role in the death of an injured Parma wallaby last January.

Judge Ian O'Flaherty sentenced Mogensen to more than $1,200 in fines and 30 days in jail.  Her attorney says he will appeal the ruling.

Mogensen told investigators she injected the animal to euthanize him because he was suffering.  A former employee said Mogensen drowned the animal in a bucket and threw his body in a dumpster. The employee, Ashley Rood, then called the authorities.

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Read the details of Friday's bench trial here.

Friday's testimony by Rood and a series of veterinary experts offered some unsettling details of animal treatment at the zoo.

Find out what's happening in Restonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Does the verdict - as well as some of the details of the animal treatment - change plans to visit the zoo? Tell us in the comments.


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