MATTHEW HILL, town constable in Eden and Eden Dog Officer, accused of dragging a live pig behind his ATV, shooting the animal and slitting his/her throat

- Vermont, USA -

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47-year-old MATTHEW HILL, town constable in Eden and Eden Dog Officer, was arrested for animal cruelty.

According to the affidavit provided to Voice For Us by the Lamoille County State’s Attorney's Office, on or about July 15, 2025, HILL “killed an animal by intentionally causing the animal undue pain or suffering”. The affidavit further stated that on or about July 15, 2025, HILL “intentionally, maliciously, and without just cause tortured, mutilated, or cruelly beat an animal.”

The victim was a pig whom HILL pulled behind an ATV “for over a mile” while the helpless soul was still alive!

According to the affidavit, on July 15, 2025, Senior Warden Asa Sargent was contacted by Senior Warden Ethan Coffey for assistance regarding complaints of cruelty to animals. Warden Coffey showed Warden Sargent two videos which appeared to have been captured by an at-home security system.

The videos showed a male, later identified as HILL, operating an ATV from his lawn onto Paronto Road in the town of Eden. HILL appeared to be dragging a live pig attached in some fashion to his ATV. In the video, the pig can be seen struggling and can be heard screaming while being dragged. The affidavit stated that “The screaming of the pig can be heard easily over the noise of the ATV.”

Warden Coffey and Warden Sargent responded to HILL’s property on 30 Paronto Road in Eden and talked to him about the complaints they had received.

HILL stated “he had shot the pig in his back yard before the pig ‘came back to life’ after he tied it to the ATV and began driving”, read the affidavit.

HILL went on to say he was driving across his lawn when the pig “sprang back to life and began struggling and squealing.” HILL claimed the pig was unresponsive while he tied him/her to the ATV. Additionally, HILL stated that he drove the pig down the road approximately 200 yards before he stopped and slit his/her throat.

HILL then dumped the innocent soul approximately 1.18 miles away where he “finished” slitting his/her throat before discarding him/her down a short embankment.

Warden Coffey and Warden Sargent walked with HILL down Paronto Road to a location where HILL claimed to have made the first cut into the pig’s throat. Warden Sargent said there was no blood to be seen there, and on the opposite side of the road she was able to see the drag mark caused by the pig. When she pointed that out to HILL, he claimed he couldn’t remember exactly where he initially cut the pig’s throat.

Warden Sargent investigated the dirt roadway in front of the security cameras that captured the incident and observed drag marks which appear to be caused by the pig digging his/her hooves into the gravel.

The Wardens followed the ATV and drag marks of the pig before ultimately discovering the discarded carcass over the edge of the road approximately 1.18 miles away from HILL’s

residence. There was dried blood on the side of the trail in the area where the carcass was discarded. While investigating the pig’s carcass, the Wardens discovered at least five (5) bullet holes in the pig.

HILL told the Wardens that he was seen by two subjects near a bridge on Paronto Road while he was dragging the pig away from his residence. Warden Sargent located and spoke with the two witnesses who confirmed they saw HILL as he passed their residence while dragging the pig and believed the pig was dead at that time.

HILL allowed the Wardens to inspect his livestock and according to the affidavit, “Their living conditions were found to be satisfactory. The two dogs we observed were friendly, obedient, and appeared to be in good health.”

HILL was also found to be in possession of a live, wild raccoon.

Ultimately, HILL admitted to dragging the pig while he/she was still alive, shooting the animal several times, and slitting his/her throat.

Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation, Warden Sargent had probable cause to believe that HILL committed the violation of aggravated cruelty to animals and possession of live wildlife.

On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, HILL was arrested and released the same day by a state judge on conditions with a court citation ordering him to appear in Vermont Superior Court in Hyde Park on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, HILL appeared in court where his attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. HILL is due back in court on August 13, 2025.

I took the liberty of naming the Voiceless Victim Peanut for the tribute image. Should his/her given name be made public, I will rectify it accordingly.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the affidavit provided to Voice For Us by the Lamoille County State’s Attorney's Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

HILL's mugshot provided to Voice For Us by Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.

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