Grafton man charged with domestic assault, cruelty in puppy’s death

By Shawn Cunningham
© 2016 Telegraph Publishing LLC

A Grafton man was arrested this morning and charged with 2nd degree aggravated domestic assault and aggravated cruelty to animals in the death of a 16-week-old black Labrador mix puppy.

According to a Vermont State Police press release, troopers responded to a 911 call from a house on Eastman Road in Grafton to find Jonathan Blake, 27, digging a grave for the dog.

Police say that Blake and his girlfriend had been having an argument early this morning and, as Blake was about to leave the house, he kicked the puppy, named Shadow, in the ribs knocking it against the pellet stove. According to the report, Shadow yelped, ran to the kitchen, then collapsed and died on the dining room floor.

Blake did not physically assault his girlfriend, but his actions toward the dog made her “fear bodily injury” according to police. There were two small children in the house, but according to police, they did not witness the death of the dog.

Blake was processed at the Westminster Barracks, then taken to the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield to await arraignment on the charges in Windham Superior Court tomorrow. Bail was set at $5,000 cash and conditions were imposed in the event that Blake was able to make bail. He was also issued a civil ticket for possession of a small amount of marijuana.

According to police, Blake was convicted of domestic assault in 2013.