A Pennsylvania state trooper, Cpl. Michael Perillo, had felony animal cruelty charges dismissed after hitting a loose horse with his patrol vehicle multiple times and pinning it to the pavement in December 2021. The horse had already been struck by a motorist before Perillo arrived on the scene in Lower Oxford Township, west of Philadelphia. Authorities have said that Perillo stated he had to hit the horse to prevent a potentially serious accident, citing the necessity defense, as the law requires people to value human lives over animals. Perillo was relieved of duty and faced two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and one count of animal cruelty, a misdemeanor.
The district attorney for Chester County, Chris de Barrena-Sarobe, stated that he believed the necessity defense would be valid and successful at trial, leading to the decision to dismiss the charges against Perillo. Perillo had been suspended without pay by the state police internal affairs division after the charges were filed in July 2022. The incident caused controversy and outrage, with many questioning whether Perillo’s actions were justified or whether he should be held accountable for causing harm to the animal. Despite the dismissal of the charges, Perillo’s attorney emphasized that his client was trying to protect other motorists on the road and prevent a potential dangerous situation.
Cpl. Michael Perillo has been with the state police since September 2006 and was assigned to Troop J in Avondale at the time of the incident with the horse. He remained free on bail while awaiting trial, and his attorney, Williams Davis, expressed gratitude to the district attorney for seeking the dismissal of the charges. Davis maintained that the decision was the correct choice, as he believed it was an unfair prosecution against his client. The case raised questions about the balance between protecting human lives and preventing harm to animals, as well as the ethical considerations of using force against an animal in a potentially dangerous situation.
The incident involving Perillo and the horse sparked debate and controversy within the community, with some supporting his actions as necessary to prevent a potential accident, while others criticized him for causing harm to the animal. The decision to dismiss the charges against Perillo highlighted the challenges of prosecuting cases of animal cruelty and determining the appropriate use of force in emergency situations. Moving forward, there may be calls for clearer guidelines and protocols for law enforcement officers in dealing with loose animals on roadways to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
Overall, the dismissal of the charges against Cpl. Michael Perillo in the case of hitting a horse with a patrol vehicle raises important questions about the balance between protecting human lives and preventing harm to animals in emergency situations. The decision to use the necessity defense in this case underscores the complexities of enforcing animal cruelty laws and the ethical considerations that come into play when determining the appropriate use of force. While the outcome of this case may be divisive, it highlights the need for continued discussions and efforts to address the complex issues surrounding animal welfare and law enforcement practices.
