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Roadside Zoo News
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Special Memories Zoo owner and manager agree to pay Animal Legal Defense Fund $130,000
Special Memories Zoo owner Dona Wheeler and former zookeeper Gretchen Crowe have agreed to pay Animal Legal Defense Fund $130,000.
Nov 22, 2022
639 views


Gretchen Crowe and Dona Wheeler agree to settlement for lawsuit that shut down Special Memories Zoo
Gretchen Crowe and Dona Wheeler of Special Memories Zoo have agreed to pay a settlement to Animal Legal Defense Fund.
Oct 27, 2022
295 views


Appeals court overturns ruling in Special Memories Zoo lawsuit
Dona Wheeler and Gretchen Crowe of Special Memories Zoo are on the hook for legal fees, an appeals court has ruled.
Aug 1, 2022
452 views


Judge compares endangered animal mistreatment to child porn in Special Memories Zoo lawsuit
Special Memories Zoo is closed but now an appeals court will decide if Dona Wheeler and Gretchen Crowe must pay more than $70,000 in fees.
Jun 8, 2022
1,514 views


Two years after Special Memories Zoo fire, debate over legal fees continues
On the anniversary of a fire that killed 35 animals at Special Memories Zoo the debate over whether the zoo must pay legal fees continues.
Mar 24, 2022
1,560 views


Judge rules Special Memories Zoo not liable for ALDF's attorney fees
A judge has declined to make Special Memories Zoo owner Dona Wheeler and zookeeper Gretchen Crowe pay more than $70,000 in legal fees.
Oct 15, 2021
198 views


Documents shed light on location of Special Memories Zoo animals
Newly obtained documents reveal the last known location of the animals that remained at Wisconsin’s Special Memories Zoo.
Jul 30, 2021
1,004 views


Animal Adventure Park bought animals from Special Memories Zoo the day after fire kills 35 animals
Jordan Patch of Animal Adventure Park purchased animals from Special Memories Zoo the day after a barn fire killed 35 animals at the zoo.
May 27, 2021
902 views


For sale: Abandoned WI roadside zoo with a history of animal mistreatment
Last week lawyers for the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a Reply Brief in Support of Motion in the case against Wisconsin’s now-closed...
Feb 22, 2021
1,024 views


ALDF seeks $71K in legal fees from Special Memories Zoo
The lawsuit alleged some animals at the roadside zoo were starved or frozen to death, and other animals' food was infested with maggots.
Feb 3, 2021
248 views


Special Memories Zoo found in violation of Endangered Species Act
Special Memories Zoo Update: Today a judge ruled on the relief sought by the Animal Legal Defense Fund in the case against the Wisconsin...
Jan 12, 2021
108 views


Special Memories Zoo lawsuit update
The Animal Legal Defense Fund is being awarded default judgement in the case against the Wisconsin roadside zoo accused of keeping their...
Jan 11, 2021
103 views
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