Man charged with punching horse, officer before Eagles game

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia police say a man is accused of punching a police horse and a mounted officer during an arrest before Sunday’s NFC championship game.

Police said a mounted state police corporal was trying to disperse a crowd in a stadium parking lot at about 3:15 p.m. Sunday when a man struck the horse twice in the shoulder, then hit the corporal in the face.

Police say 19-year-old Andrew Tornetta of North Wales is being charged with aggravated and simple assault, reckless endangering and related offenses. He didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment; it’s unclear whether he has an attorney.

Police report few arrests amid the Eagles’ 38-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings, which sends them to their first Super Bowl since 2005 against the AFC champion New England Patriots.