Report: LI college student killed rabbit

NEWPORT, R.I. -- Police have charged a Salve Regina University lacrosse player from Merrick with killing a cottontail rabbit with a hockey stick and using its corpse as a puck, a Rhode Island newspaper reported.

Newport police told The Providence Journal that Nicholas A. Coyle of Newport faces a felony charge of malicious injury to an animal. He was released on a promise to appear for arraignment in Newport Superior Court.

His lawyer, Susan T. Perkins, said he signed a waiver that would allow extradition from another state if he does not appear. She would not comment further.

Coyle, 19, has been on the men's lacrosse team, but is not listed on the preliminary 2012 roster.

University spokesman Matt Boxler praised students who offered information helping police and the Rhode Island SPCA make the arrest.