News/Updates

Updates

December 3, 2007

On Monday, December 3, 2007, the trial court held a status conference on the case. Counsel for Lewis Dustin is seeking to withdraw as Counsel in his case. They confirmed that they are not being paid by Mr. Dustin, but that they have been paid by an unnamed third party for their services. The Court conditionally granted their Motion to Withdraw, but is making the attorney of record for Mr. Dustin argue its opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Take Judicial Notice of Generally Known Scientific Facts and Facts Relating to Animal Life and Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment. These Motions are scheduled for oral argument on January 29, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.

July 19, 2007

Our case continues in Washington County Superior Court. We are waiting for the Court's decision on whether we can proceed with our claim for emotional damages now that the Court has accepted our claim that Mr. Dustin acted intentionally when he shot and killed SHADOW. We hope that we will get a ruling this year. Of course if the Court decides against us, we plan on appealing that decision to the Vermont Supreme Court.

August 18, 2006

In the case in Vermont Superior Court, the Judge refused to recognize our claim for loss of companionship for SHADOW'S death. We are appealing the Judge's ruling to the Vermont Supreme Court and we are hopeful that they will overturn the Superior Court's decision and allow a claim for loss of companionship for the loss of a companion animal. (update August 18, 2006)

Although the criminal case (State of Vermont vs Lewis Dustin) is over...the Scheele's are continuing to pursue justice for SHADOW in civil court with the hopes of creating "The SHADOW Law". This state law would recognize pets as companion animals, not mere property. The courts would realize the important role that companion animals play as members of the family. We are starting in the state of Vermont, where SHADOW was killed, but we will continue our efforts in the state of Maryland and further, with hopes that The SHADOW Law will becomes a national law.

The Scheele's are working with the Animal Legal Defense Fund and a private attorney to help them with the civil case.

Additionally, the Scheele Family hopes that they will be able to promote the creation of a city ordinance in the town of Northfield, Vermont - the town where SHADOW was murdered - that will make it illegal to discharge a pellet gun within town limits.

The Scheele's are grateful and appreciative of the tremendous support and encouragement that has poured in from family, friends, and strangers on SHADOW'S behalf. Because of such tremendous caring, we are confident that SHADOW's memory will live on forever, and that we will be successful in creating legislation that will help prevent the cruel death of another innocent animal.