Letter to Editor
Dear Editor,
On July 19, 2003, our family was attending a family anniversary
celebration at a church in Northfield, VT. We had traveled to
Vermont from our home in Maryland. We arrived at the church early to
have a picnic and play with our two “furry children” – SHADOW and
Lucy. Our dogs travel with us everywhere that we go. Suddenly, a
shot rang out and our precious SHADOW yelped, jumped in his daddy’s
arms and started gasping for air. SHADOW had been shot in the aorta
with a high-powered pellet gun with a scope. The admitted killer,
Mr. Lewis Dustin of Northfield, VT stated, “I have a problem with
dogs.” Our precious little SHADOW died in our arms as we rushed to
the nearest emergency veterinary clinic in South Burlington…nearly
an hour away. SHADOW suffered horrifically…gasping for air,
whimpering, shaking uncontrollably. Our other dog Lucy, who adored
her canine sibling, began to shake in fear as well…not understanding
what was happening. She lay across SHADOW’s lifeless body.
Our lives have been changed forever. Our family of four has lost a
most loving, affectionate, playful, gentle, innocent member. SHADOW
was our child. We cannot get the vision of that horrific day out of
our minds. How could someone so cold-blooded and cruel as SHADOW’s
killer? This incident was totally unprovoked. SHADOW was playing
with us and we were talking to him when he was shot…only 5 feet from
his Mommy and Daddy and sibling, Lucy. It could just as easily have
been one of us that was shot and killed.
How can such a horrific incident happen in a quaint, picturesque
little Vermont town…and then go ignored by the State’s Attorney? We
have sent numerous letters, faxes, and emails to Terry Trono, the
State’s Attorney. Our pleas to have this crime of animal cruelty
taken SERIOUSLY…as the FELONY level crime that it is, have been
ignored. The killing of SHADOW is not a misdemeanor…it is a felony.
Lewis Dustin, not only shot and killed our innocent dog…he put our
lives in danger and should also be charged with reckless
endangerment for shooting in the direction of people.
Despite numerous attempts to talk with the State’s Attorney, in our
one and only communication from him…he told us “we are wasting his
time and our time”…”it is only a dog”. He wants us to plea
bargain…as 90% of his cases are settled. WE REFUSE!
We have hired an attorney in Vermont who, along with the Animal
Legal Defense Fund, has offered to serve as a special prosecutor or
deputy, which not only would lighten the case load of the state’s
attorney’s office…but it would save the taxpayers of the state of
Vermont and Washington County in particular, because we are paying
the attorney. We have established a fund for donations “For SHADOW’s
Sake to help us with our legal costs. Terry Trono is not willing to
appoint our attorney to assist him.
Quoting an article about the State’s Attorney of Vermont, Terry
Trono, in the February 2000 issue of Smithsonian Magazine, “A plea
bargain is a necessary tool. There isn’t much time to dwell on the
outcomes, you get over it, and get on.” How do we “get over and get
on” the loss of our precious SHADOW in such a horrific, cruel and
violent manner.
Lewis Dustin used a high-powered pellet rifle with a scope. Why?
SHADOW was the sweetest, most gentle dog – he was with his
family…playing and enjoying a beautiful day in Vermont. How can
anyone be so cruel as to walk out of their house…stand a few feet
from an innocent dog who is there with his family…aim at the dog and
shoot him in the heart? SHADOW bled to death within thirty minutes
of being shot.
PLEASE HELP US! Please contact the ATTRONEY GENERAL OF Vermont and
ask that Lewis Dustin be charged with FELONY level cruelty for
causing undue pain and suffering to our dog in this fatal accident
and that Dustin be further charged with reckless endangerment for
shooting in the direction of people in the church parking lot. We
need your help now! The court date is now set for December 18, 2003
at the Courthouse in Barre, VT.
Attorney General William Sorrell
109 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05609
802-828-3171
Fax: 802-828-2154
Email:
aginfo@atg.state.vt.us
Thank you for helping us to seek justice for SHADOW.
Sincerely,
Denis, Sarah and Lucy Scheele |
