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Corporal Michael Perillo repeatedly struck an already-injured horse with his police cruiser while responding to a call on Route 1 in Lower Oxford Township on Dec. 28, 2021, state police said in a Friday, July 22 news release.
Perillo, who is assigned to Troop J - Avondale, then allegedly pinned the loose animal to the ground, where it was euthanized by another trooper.
The horse was on the shoulder and had already been struck by a vehicle before troopers were called to the scene, authorities said.
Perillo has been charged with two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, both graded as a felony of the third degree, and one count of cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor of the second degree.
Perillo was arraigned Friday, July 22 at the Chester County Justice Center, and bail was set at $50,000 unsecured.
Perillo has been with the Pennsylvania State Police since September 2006.
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