Baltimore officer accused of slitting dog's throat found not guilty on all counts

Baltimore Sun ^ | 11/19/15 | Jessica Anderson

[markomalley]

Baltimore Circuit Court judge on Thursday acquitted a former city police officer charged after he slit a dog's throat last summer.

Judge Melissa M. Phinn said the state did not present adequate evidence that proved Jeffrey Bolger, 50, was responsible for the death of a seven-year-old Shar-Pei named Nala, when he slit the dogs throat in June 2014. Bolger was charged with mutilating an animal, animal cruelty and misconduct in office.

Phinn noted that the verdict might not be popular, but said she was "confident" that the her ruling was correct, describing that the evidence indicated the officer was acting in the interest of safety and putting the dog out of it's misery.

She cited testimony from Maryland's Chief Medical Examiner David R. Fowler, who testified for the defense that the dog likely died before its throat was cut. Phinn said that Bolger would not have the expertise to know the dog was already dead when he slit its throat.

[sparklite2]

Yuck. I’m sorry I read the article.

[If You Want It Fixed - Fix It]

He put the dog out of its misery, since no owner could be found to do that - rabies.

[Ken H]

“Unfortunately, at some point after the dog was contained, one of our officers used a knife and cut the dog’s throat,” said Baltimore police deputy commissioner Dean Palmere, according to WBAL.

“This is outrageous and unacceptable breach of our protocol,” he said.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/3169684/posts (June 19, 2014)

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

If rabies was an issue, animal suffering is far less important than the avoidance of non-bite communication of the virus. Cutting a dog’s throat is just an asinine thing to do except in laboratory conditions. Shooting for the heart is probably best and safest, and even then from some feet away.

[Ken H]

He put the dog out of its misery, since no owner could be found to do that - rabies.

You're saying the dog had rabies? Source, please.

[huldah1776]

“Unfortunately, the dog choked itself on the pole,” Levin said.”

They decapitated the dog for testing long after the incident.

[Moonman62]

I take it the dog was either lost or let to run loose by the owner.

[Moonman62]

Interesting that the officer chose a judge rather than a jury.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

#RabidDogsLivesMatter

Maryland “Freak State” PING!