March 2023 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN March 2023 Page 49 By Suzanne Bush On December 21, 2021 a motorist hit a horse that was walking along the shoulder of Route 1 near Avondale, PA. It was almost midnight and there was very little traffic. The mo- torist was not hurt, and the horse was still standing and walking. The Pennsylvania State Po- lice (PSP) dispatched two officers to the scene and within an hour the horse was dead. One police officer, Corporal Michael Perillo, repeatedly rammed the horse with his vehicle, chasing the frightened animal along the road, shooting at it, and finally trapping it under the wheels of the police car. The only act of mercy the animal received was from another officer on the scene who shot the horse, ending its misery. PSP Michael Perillo (courtesy of Chester County District Attorney) Trial Date Set for Officer Who Killed Horse It was not until July 2022 that Perillo was charged with several counts of animal cruelty. The District Attorney of Chester County vowed to hold Perillo ac- countable. District Attorney Deb Ryan was explicit. “Inflicting such pain on an innocent animal is unthinkable and inexcusable. No one is above the law, and my office will hold the defendant accountable for his actions.” According to Adam Reed, Director of the Communications Office for PSP, Perillo is still a member of PSP. “Any disciplinary action, including termination, will not occur until the conclusion of the court process. That would fall in line with the Confidence in Law Enforcement Act. He is still currently employed but remains suspended without pay.” Justice is Not Always Swift That resolution may be at hand. Perillo’s case is finally scheduled for March 13, before The Honorable Analisa Sonder- gaard. Discovery in the case was in February. The long road from that terrible night in 2021 has been a source of frustration for people who heard about the cru- elty that resulted in the death of this horse. Assistant District At- torney Kate Wright, who will be prosecuting the case, understands the frustration. “One of the things people don’t expect if they’re not familiar with the criminal justice system is things don’t happen as quickly as they expect them to.” She said that Perillo’s attorney had filed several motions, to which her office had to respond. (Continued on page 52)