Va. zoo director says no mistreatment

RESTON, Va. (AP) - The director of the Reston Zoo is telling investigators she humanely euthanized a sick wallaby and did not mistreat the animal.

Fairfax County animal control officers have charged 26-year-old Meghan Morgensen of Silver Spring, Md., with animal cruelty and possession of a controlled substance. Morgensen is denying the charges in court papers.

The investigation began in January when police got a tip from a worker at the zoo about the death of a wallaby. According to a search warrant, the employee left the zoo to get supplies to treat the injured wallaby and came back to find its body in a trash bag.

Authorities also say the zoo did not have the appropriate permits or training to dispense the euthanasia drug that was used to kill the animal.