By Michael Donoghue
Vermont News First
EDEN — The town constable in Eden was arrested Tuesday afternoon on a felony charge of animal cruelty after reportedly shooting a pig multiple times and dragging it down a road, Vermont News First has learned.
Matthew Hill, 47, dragged a live screaming pig behind an ATV along Paronto Road near his residence, the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department confirmed Tuesday evening.
The pig had been shot several times before it was dragged along the unpaved road, F&W Lt. Robert Currier said. It was disposed of in some woods, he said.
The case was still being investigated Tuesday night.
Currier said Hill will also face a misdemeanor criminal charge of having a live pet raccoon in his residence when wardens arrested him.
Wildlife Warden Ethan Coffey received the initial complaint Tuesday morning from the community and responded to the area to find the pig, officials said.
Wardens Asa Sargent, Dustin Snyder and Lt. Currier assisted with the investigation.
The wardens determined that the incident had been captured on security video cameras from the neighbors, Currier said.
Hill was released Tuesday evening by a state judge on conditions with a court citation ordering him to appear in Vermont Superior Court in Hyde Park on Wednesday.
If convicted on the aggravated cruelty charge, Hill could be imprisoned for up to 5 years and fined up to $5,000.