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Demand Justice For Horse Run Down By Pennsylvania State Trooper

Demand Justice For Horse Run Down By Pennsylvania State Trooper

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

There is no excuse for law enforcement agencies not having first responders trained for the safe removal of horses and other large animals from roadways, or other situations, but many animals continue to have their lives unjustly taken because no one was prepared — including a lost horse in Pennsylvania who was brutally killed by a state trooper in an inexcusable way. There must be no plea deal in this case.

In December 2021, a horse wandered from an Amish farm and was struck by a vehicle on U.S. Route 1 in Lower Oxford Township. The horse was standing on the side of the road, still mobile and needing rescue.

Two state troopers responded, but they didn't help. When they arrived, the horse began to move north on the southbound lane. According to a report by Chester County prosecutors shared by media, one of the troopers tried unsuccessfully to catch the horse using jumper cables as a rope, but the horse headed onto an on-ramp.

Cpl. Michael Perillo arrived via the on-ramp in his vehicle with his emergency lights on and blocked the horse between two vehicles, but the horse tried to go around him. Perillo changed his position, but the horse tried to go around again. At that point, Perillo hit the horse's right leg.

The horse turned around and tried to go back toward the trooper with the jumper cables, but that one fired five shots, hitting the horse at least once in the side. Perillo followed the horse, who was running to escape, and struck the unfortunate animal four times with enough force that the last time the horse landed on the hood. He then struck the horse again after they fell off the hood. He hit the horse yet again after they tried to stand up, this time driving his car over the horse and pinning the severely injured equine down.

The horse was still alive at this point and then was shot and killed by another trooper.

This tragedy is entirely unacceptable and could have been prevented. Law enforcement agencies and first responders must recognize the need to institute humane plans and procedures for response to animals who pose a safety threat to themselves and travelers on roadways. In this case, help from regional responders should have been enlisted to block the roadway until the horse could be safely removed. State troopers in most states weave across lanes with flashing lights to slow speeders and or alert travelers to road hazards.

Perillo was charged with two counts of felony aggravated cruelty to animals, and one count of misdemeanor cruelty to animals, and was suspended without pay until the case is resolved.

 

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This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

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