UPDATE (03/08/16) — Cop Gets $45,000

The Free Thought Project reports as follows:

In January 2015, all charges were dropped against Schmidt, but the Gossard family maintained hope that there would be justice for Nala as the charges against Bolger remained. However, this week, any hope for justice was lost when Judge Phinn ruled that prosecutors failed to prove Bolger was criminally responsible for the death of the 7-year-old Shar-Pei.

Just like that, a vicious animal cruelty charge was transformed into a heroic act, conducted in the interest of public safety.

To make matters even worse, under the police union contract, Bolger is entitled to receive back wages for the period he was suspended, from June 2014 to March 2015. Now, this sadistic dog killer will receive $45,000 in back pay from city government.

UPDATE (11-21-15) — Cop Found “Not Guilty” After Slashing Dog’s Throat

Unbelievably, yet unsurprisingly, the officer who slashed the dog’s throat has officially been found “not guilty.”

Apparently, part of his defense relied on the odd notion that the dog caused itself to die.

Judge Melissa Phinn announced the verdict this week. Citizens and animal lovers became infuriated upon hearing it.

The dog’s life is lost forever, and this verdict is probably adding insult to injury for its owner. If anybody else had slit a dog’s throat while it was restrained, the offender would be imprisoned for animal cruelty.

But as long as the slashing is done while the offender wears a special government costume, then evidently he’s not guilty.

Continue reading the full article and updates below.

UPDATE (7-20-15) — Trial for Officer Begins

The trial for Officer Bolger has finally started, after nearly a year of being postponed.

The trial proceeded earlier this week at the Baltimore City Circuit Court.

ABC News reports as follows:

Veteran officer Jeffrey Bolger pleaded not guilty in September 2014 to two counts of mutilating an animal, animal cruelty and misconduct in office for his alleged role in the killing of a 7-year-old shar-pei, named Nala.

Witnesses say that they saw Officer Bolger pull out a knife and begin using it to slit the dog’s throat apart even though the dog was already restrained.

UPDATE (6/7/15) Dog “Strangled Itself to Death”, Trial Postponed

In a twisted turn of events, the cop’s defense is now that the dog actually killed itself.

It was only after the dog “strangled itself to death” that the officer decided to slit its throat, and thus he was not the true killer, according to the new claims.

A motion has been filed in the Baltimore Circuit Court that asserts that Officer Bolger did not actually kill Nala when he slit Nala’s throat because the dog already “strangled itself to death.”

We wish we were making this up, but it’s actually the defense that the cop intends to rely upon.

The owner on the Facebook page Justice for Nala posted as follows:

It’s almost been one year since Nala’s life was taken. I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this year and this struggle. We are still working towards justice and trial is scheduled for July 13; however, we seem to get delayed constantly so I will keep you all posted as I gain more information.

At this point the State has submitted their response to the motions filed by Bolger’s attorneys. I am waiting to hear if there was a response back yet. This has been a true test of patience but through perseverance and continued love and support from family, friends, and people all over the world we will continue to strive for ‪#‎justicefornala‬

UPDATE (1/15/15) NO CONVICTION for Cop Who Held Dog Down for its Throat to be Slashed

Officer Schmidt will not be convicted for his role in the slashing death of 7-yr-old Nala, a pet dog who was non-aggressive, according to reports.

“You could hear the dog screaming and crying in pain,” said Sandy Fleischer, a neighbor who witnessed the slaying of the dog.

“I did see one officer that had been extremely aggressive that did have his knee into her chest that was tightening the noose. It seemed (they were doing it) relentlessly and unnecessarily,” she continued.

As Officer Schmidt held down the dog by force, Officer Jeffrey pulled out a knife and used it to slice open Nala’s neck, according to reports.

Officer Jeffrey has been charged with Animal Cruelty, but has not been convicted yet. As for Officer Schmidt, it has been decided by courts that he will not be convicted.

He was “following police protocol, and we’re very satisfied with the State’s case,” said his attorney.

Continue to full article below for more details:

UPDATE (12/6/14) Cop Claims He Was “Just Doing His Job” When He Slashed Dog’s Throat

After pulling out a knife and slashing a dog’s throat while another officer held the dog down, Officer Jeffrey is now asking that the judge will drop the charges of animal cruelty.

His defense is that he was “just doing his job,” according to a report by CBS Baltimore.

“That’s crazy to me, crazy to me. I mean own up to what you did. Accept responsibility,” said Sarah Gossard, the dog’s owner.

Full story continues now:

BALTIMORE — “I want justice,” says Sarah Gossard, after learning that a Baltimore police officer captured her pet dog and used a knife to slash its throat.

It began when Nala, a small 7-yr-old shar-pei became missing on Saturday from her home.

It turns out that Nala had gotten out of the house accidentally, and a neighbor captured her.

The neighbor who was keeping Nala took care of her but remarked that Nala was frightened and didn’t know wheres she was. The neighbor said that Nala just wanted to go home, and that it became difficult to feed her because she was so scared. Because Nala was scared, she began snapping at the neighbor, and that’s when the neighbor called animal control.

“It’s not Nala’s fault,” said the neighbor. She was simply scared because she was in an unfamiliar place and she snapped from the fear.

The neighbor suffered no serious injuries and believed that Nala would be safe once she was held by animal control.

Shortly after the call to animal control, police officers showed up to the home and used a restraining pole to squeeze Nala’s neck.

It’s when they got Nala alone and completely restrained that the unthinkable happened.

Officer Jeffrey Bolger was looking at Nala, and at one point was heard saying, “I’m going to gut this fucking thing,” according to reports.

Moments later, Officer Bolger pulled out a knife.

He then approached Nala, who was being held down by another officer, Thomas Schmidt, and pressed the knife up to the dog’s throat.

He then forced the blade into Nala’s neck and began slitting her throat open as she was held down by Officer Schmidt.

One can only imagine the pain and fear Nala went through as Officer Bolger slaughtered her.

“It was a complete violation of protocol,” said Eric Kowalczy, a police spokesman.

“It’s not often police speak out against one of their own, but we are all truly appalled,” he added.

Sarah Gossard, Nala’s owner, stated that police didn’t even give her the details of how Nala died.

“She went missing Saturday and after looking for her all day, I found out through a neighbor that she was put down,” she said.

“Police never contacted me until today. Only after did I find out more details. I learned from the news that she was stabbed in the throat.”

Sarah and the neighbor both reported that Nala has never been a violent dog and has always been friendly.

“She was just scared that day and through all of those events — scared and lost, thirsty, hungry,” she said.

Officer Bolger has been working for the Baltimore Police Department for over 20 years. He has been suspended without pay, and charged with animal mutilation and cruelty.

After he was caught, he maintained that he killed the dog because he claimed that it “might have had rabies.”

His excuse was that if the dog had rabies, and if it had gotten away from the restraint pole, then it could have bit someone.

“Don’t try and make yourself a hero when you made a grave mistake,” said the neighbor when she heard of Officer Bolger’s excuse. “Try to say ‘I’m sorry.'”

Watch the video below (warning: graphic)