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 motorist was not hurt, and the horse was still standing and walking.
The Pennsylvania State Police (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.
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 accountable. 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 Sondergaard. 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 cruelty that resulted in the death of this horse. Assistant District Attorney 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.
Lingering Issues
There are three issues that will likely not be part of the trial, but which officials should consider. First, Perillo’s conduct in this incident should be viewed in the context of previous incidents. In August 2018, Perillo was charged in Warminster Township with criminal mischief with the intent to damage property. He pleaded guilty and paid a fine.
Second, Perillo was totally unprepared to deal with the situation. He knew there was a loose horse on the road. Yet, he went to the scene with no apparent plan. He didn’t even have a rope he could have used to safely lead the horse off the roadway. He and his partner were so ill-prepared that they tried to fashion a rope out of jumper cables.
Third, it’s clear that Perillo did not have even rudimentary training to prepare him for encounters with horses or other farm animals loose on the roads. Among the states with the largest population of horses, Pennsylvania ranks eighth. It’s surprising that—given the state’s large concentration of horse farms and other agricultural activities—police officers would be so manifestly unprepared for what is not exactly a freak occurrence. When asked whether new or enhanced training programs have been mandated because of this incident, PSP responded that “PSP is always looking for ways to improve training, but we cannot comment specifically due to the ongoing nature of this case.”
There is not a shortage of resources in the region for specialized training that would benefit both police officers and first responders. The Garden State Horse & Carriage Society organized an emergency horse handling clinic for first responders in 2019. After hearing about this incident, they’re planning to host another clinic.
Closer to home, the Large Animal Protection Society (LAPS) in West Grove could provide valuable advice based on many years of experience with horses. Founded in 1988, LAPS is dedicated to ending cruelty to large animals. Additionally, the organization is authorized to investigate cruelty complaints and prosecute offenders. “State-trained and court-authorized, badged Humane Society Police Officers provide a valuable community service” in Chester and Lancaster counties.
What happened to that unnamed horse in December 2021 was a profound tragedy that did not need to happen. First responders in the state—particularly in rural areas—should receive proper training to prepare them to deal humanely and safely with animals in distress.
The free Emergency Horse Handling Clinic for first responders will be held Saturday, April 1 at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Allentown, NJ. Sponsored by the Garden State Horse & Carriage Society, registration is requested. Email reinslady@gmail.com with your name, phone number, and position as a first responder.