The legal saga against the operators of Natural Bridge Zoo intensified this week after indictments were returned by a Rockbridge County grand jury for a total of 63 animal cruelty and forgery charges against five people.
Deborah Mogensen and Karl Mogensen, the former owners of the zoo, were arrested on Tuesday, according to online court records. Deborah Mogensen has been charged with 18 counts of animal cruelty and two counts of forgery of public records. Karl Mogensen faces 18 counts of cruelty to animals. Both have been released on bail.
Current owner Gretchen “Sasha” Mogensen remains in custody. She is currently serving a 100-day jail sentence for contempt of court. She has been charged with 16 counts of cruelty to animals and two counts of forgery.
In addition to the Mogensens, two other people are facing charges in the case: Ashley Spencer, a veterinarian, and Mark Easley, a former employee at the zoo. Spencer was indicted on four counts of forgery; Easley was indicted on three charges, all related to animal cruelty.
Gretchen Mogensen reported to Rockbridge County Regional Jail on Oct. 29. The jail sentence stemmed from Mogensen’s refusal to turn over two giraffe calves that the state’s animal law unit believes were born at the zoo after a December 2023 seizure. Her release was originally scheduled for today, Feb. 5, however, online court records show her in custody.
Four adult giraffes, two males and two females, were seized in place after a large seizure of approximately 70 animals in December 2023. Despite allegations of abuse and neglect, the giraffes stayed in the care of the zoo for months. Jeffrey, one of the male giraffes, was moved almost a year later, in October 2024. The two females were pregnant and due in the spring of 2025, according to court records. An inspection team sent to the zoo in April 2025 found the mothers skinnier but no baby giraffes on site. The three remaining adult giraffes were moved shortly after the inspection. One of the female giraffes, Valentine, died while being transported to a Georgia conservation park. The zoo shared a series of videos on its social media showing the animal in distress as she was loaded into a trailer for transport.
An advisement hearing is scheduled for Gretchen Mogensen on Monday in Rockbridge Circuit Court. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 17 for all of the other parties charged in the indictment.
The animal cruelty charges are classified as Class 1 misdemeanors; the forgery charges are classified as Class 5 felonies. Each count of animal cruelty is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine up to $2,500. A Class 5 felony is punishable by one to 10 years in prison or 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
ICYMI
- Rockbridge County: Natural Bridge Zoo owner reports to jail for 100-day sentence
- Natural Bridge Zoo: Judge demands owner turn over giraffe calves, or go to jail
- Justice for Valentine: Giraffe seized from Natural Bridge Zoo dies during transport
A representative for the Virginia Animal Owners Alliance told AFP that they believe the zoo was unfairly targeted and set up by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, as part of a PR stunt.
“The truth is that PETA orchestrated this case from the very beginning,” a statement from the alliance read. “Their years-long animus towards Natural Bridge Zoo is well-documented. They are the puppet masters. The animal law unit is the useful tool of PETA.”
With a new attorney general in the state, the VAOA would like an investigation into the animal law unit on its conduct related to the zoo and a review to determine if the unit is needed in Virginia.
“It is very telling that the Virginia State Police, who executed the search warrant and had on-site investigators during the raid, saw no reason to charge. They had ample opportunity and if they thought there was something to all of this, we would see them pressing charges and we would have a VSP press release. Instead, we have a PETA press release,” they wrote.
PETA has documented numerous measures taken against the zoo by the USDA and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries with multiple citations dating back to 1994.
PETA issued a statement this afternoon in response to the indictments applauding the actions of the Office of the Attorney General.
“PETA applauds these indictments and remains deeply concerned about Asha the elephant, who is feared to be suffering in isolation in yet another decrepit roadside zoo, and the two missing baby giraffes believed to have been torn away from their mothers – who were among the dozens of animals whom a judge and jury found were subjected to cruel treatment or deprived of adequate care,” said Daphna Nachminovitch, PETA senior vice president.
Asha was transported from Natural Bridge Zoo to a Florida ranch days before the raid and animal seizures took place in December 2023.
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Crystal Graham
