State law against shooting someone else’s dog carries possible prison sentence
by Guy Page
Vermont State Police now say the man who shot a German Shepherd dog in Richford Wednesday evening October 1 says he he thought he was shooting at a bear.
As reported yesterday by the Vermont Daily Chronicle, about 5 p.m., Nicholas Wetherby, 28, of Richford, reported hearing a single gunshot while his black German Shepherd was in a nearby field off Route 105 and Magoon Road. The dog returned to Weatherby’s residence with a fatal gunshot wound to its snout.
Witnesses told troopers they saw a man walking away from the area shortly after the shot, before getting into a white full-sized pickup truck and heading toward town. Police said they did not know if the shooting was intentional or accidental.
After further investigation, State Police in Saint Albans Thursday night at 10;47 PM said they had identified the offender in this case as Nathan Peters, 37, from Richford. Peters stated he believed he was shooting at a bear when he shot the dog in question, police say.
Peters was charged with animal cruelty and ordered to appear in Vermont Superior Court to answer to that charge on November 17. Under state law 13VSA353, Cruelty to animals shall be punishable by a sentence of imprisonment of not more than one year or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both. The laws allows a judge to impose further sentences:
- Forfeit any future right to own, possess, or care for any animal for a period that the court deems appropriate.
- Participate in available animal cruelty prevention programs or educational programs.
Bear hunting season in Vermont began September 1 and runs through November 15, with a ‘late season’ November 15-23.