Dispute breaks out over abusive phone call suspect’s role in animal rescue group

by Guy Page

An autopsy was completed at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington. The deceased victim is identified as Shawn Spiker, 34, of Croydon, New Hampshire. The autopsy determined his cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of death is homicide.

The investigation began at about 12:45 AM Monday, Oct. 14 when the state police received a call reporting a shooting at a home in the Kneeland Flats Trailer Park. The surviving victim is identified as Michael S. Perry, 57, of Waterbury. As of Tuesday afternoon, his conditions remained stable at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.

Investigators have completed processing of the crime scene and continue to speak with relevant parties to this incident and area residents. No one is in custody. The state police asks that anyone with information that could assist in this case contact VSP’s Berlin Barracks at 802-229-9191.

 Update on citation for lewd calls to animal control officer – Yesterday’s VDC news story about the citation of an animal rescue worker brought howls of protest from both the animal rescue organization with whom the VDC story said she was affilated, and the suspect herself.

The story reported that state police had cited Danielle Graves of Corinth for making 23 ‘lewd’ phone calls to Town of Washington animal control officer Robert Lowe, and noted (based on her Facebook posts) an affiliation with an animal rights rescue group.

That evening, several members of the group informed VDC that Graves was in no way affiliated with the group. Accordingly VDC removed the logo and edited the news story. 

But this morning, Graves, identifying herself as Daniel Parks and the subject of the news story,  emailed her side  – and sent a screenshot of a Facebook exchange showing at least a brief positive two-way interaction with the group.

There is no evidence that Graves/Parks had any further connection with the group, Vermonters Against Animal Abuse and Abandonment.

“This [news article, based on a Vermont State Police report] is largely misconstrued,” she said.  The phone calls were PRANK phone calls asking Robert Lowe to help with a squirrel, and then sheep. Robert made no attempt to ignore the calls and actually made threats that were recorded. In absolutely no way we’re these calls “lewd requests”. 

“Robert Lowe made threats in response, and tried to agitate the situation. Also recorded. I understand you are not aware of this since the press release is unclear. I, Danielle have changed the lives of HUNDREDS of animals with my dedicated rescue work. Slandering my name to the public could permanently damage my reputation. 

“I would respectfully request this blog article be removed out of respect for the animal rescue work I do and the many lives I’ve saved. At the very least, if the article could be edited to correctly portray the situation. I WAS affiliated with Vermonters against animal abuse and I have screenshots from Heather [Bentley, a group leader] personally to prove that. I also have witness with me the night this event happened. And recordings we took.”

VDC erred in assuming that, based on the FB use of the organization’s logo, Graves was affiliated with them. We have apologized to group leaders. We leave to the readers to decide, based on conflicting claims, the extent, if any, of her involvement, and wish them all the very best in their important volunteer work.