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.
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Roadside Zoo News
- Oct 27, 2022
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.
162 views
- Aug 4, 2022
Jessica Rivera no longer conducting USDA inspections after complaints from Roadside Zoo News
USDA Inspector Jessica Rivera is no longer conducting inspections after repeated complaints from Roadside Zoo News.
978 views
- Aug 1, 2022
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.
362 views
- Jun 8, 2022
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.
1,033 views
- Mar 24, 2022
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.
564 views
- Dec 29, 2021
Former Special Memories Zoo veterinarian Thomas Young reprimanded for unprofessional conduct
Dr. Thomas Young of High Cliff Veterinary Services has been reprimanded for unprofessional conduct during a Veterinary Board investigation.
382 views
- Dec 8, 2021
50 animals disappear from DeYoung Zoo in the past 14 months, records show
50 animals have disappeared from DeYoung Zoo in Wallace, MI, in the past 14 months including two lions from Special Memories Zoo.
104,863 views
- Oct 15, 2021
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.
186 views
- Aug 4, 2021
Disappearance at DeYoung Zoo: Where are the 12 missing animals?
A dozen animals from Special Memories Zoo have disappeared from DeYoung Zoo. Some of the animals are endangered species.
2,353 views
- Jul 30, 2021
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.
775 views
- May 27, 2021
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.
708 views
- Mar 24, 2021
Roadside Zoo keeper shares horrific memories of animal neglect at Special Memories Zoo
I hate that so many animals at Special Memories Zoo were hurt because of Dona and Gene Wheeler and Gretchen Crowe.
341 views
- Mar 24, 2021
Starvation death of birds at Roadside Zoo still haunts zookeeper 6 years later
Every day she stood among their corpses and played on her phone, duping me into believing she was caring for them while they slowly decayed.
206 views
- Mar 24, 2021
Location of Special Memories Zoo animals remains unknown one year later
These animals disappeared one year ago from Wisconsin’s (now closed) Special Memories Zoo. Some of the animals went to DeYoung Zoo.
39 views
- Mar 24, 2021
Roadside zoo starved animals, deprived them of water and burned them alive
Within an hour of Gretchen exiting the house with the dog and then returning inside, the barn was on fire. More than 35 animals died.
531 views
- Feb 22, 2021
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...
575 views
- Feb 8, 2021
Closed WI roadside zoo argues lawsuit wasn't a victory
Lawyers for Special Memories Zoo are arguing against paying legal fees to the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
123 views
- Feb 3, 2021
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.
208 views
- Jan 27, 2021
WVMA looks into Wisconsin veterinarian in roadside zoo neglect coverup
More than 18 animals were found decaying on the property, and Dr. Young of High Cliff Veterinary Service covered for the animal neglect.
350 views
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