Editor’s Note: This story by John Lippman first appeared in the Valley News on May 10.
TUNBRIDGE — A Tunbridge man has been cited to appear in court on an animal cruelty charge in connection with the fatal shooting of a dog last month.
Damon Dyer, 31, is to appear in Orange Superior Court in Chelsea on June 29 to answer a charge of one count of cruelty to animals, the Vermont Warden Service said in a news release.
“This was an unfortunate and tragic loss of a beloved family pet,” said Game Warden Sgt. Jeffrey Whipple, who conducted the investigation. “I hope in the near future the family can find some peace.”
The Vermont Warden Service was tasked with investigating the fatal shooting of an 11-year-old German shepherd named Scout after her owner discovered her remains on April 23 near his home on Russell Road. The dog had been missing since April 20.
Whipple said Dyer works as a farm manager at a farm near the dog owner’s residence and came forth to identify himself as the shooter while Whipple was investigating the scene on April 23.
“He realized he should have reported it,” Whipple said, adding that Dyer had “expressed remorse” but could not explain why he allegedly shot Scout.
A message left Tuesday on Dyer’s home phone seeking comment was not returned.
Steve Mortillo, Scout’s owner, said in an interview with the Valley News that he found Scout shot dead at the edge of a field about 400 yards from his home.
He said he had let Scout out at about 5 p.m. April 20. Mortillo and his wife began to worry when Scout did not return soon.
“We got concerned right away. That night we knew something was wrong. We looked extensively for her for days,” Mortillo said.
Mortillo said Scout likely went across the road following the scent of a dead hog and dead cow carcass, which were lying in a pit ner where she was shot.
Mortillo said he and his wife, both veterans of the Iraq War — he in the Army; his wife an officer in the Marines — adopted Scout from a German shepherd rescue mission in Maryland when she was 1 year old.
She was named Scout because Mortillo was a cavalry scout during his military service.
“We were with her for 10 years. She played an important role in our lives. She helped me to readjust to civilian life,” said Mortillo, who added that one of her favorite things was to go fishing with him in the White River.
“She was scared to swim at first but we taught her, and then she couldn’t wait to get out of the canoe and go swimming,” Mortillo said.
Mortillo said he wrapped Scout in a blanket and buried her on the family property. They planted a white oak tree at her gravesite.
Mortillo said he is grateful to the Warden Service for the way they handled the investigation.
“This just shouldn’t have happened,” he said. “I don’t know what else to say other than that.”
