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Officer Accused Of Slitting Dog's Throat Found Not Guilty

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Not guilty on all counts. That's the verdict handed down to a city officer accused of slicing a dog's throat.

Gigi Barnett has more on the judge's ruling, and why she knew it would be controversial.

Walking out of the Baltimore courthouse Thursday afternoon, Officer Jeffrey Bolger only had words of gratitude for his defense team.

"I'd just like to thank my attorneys, that's all," said Bolger.

A Baltimore judge cleared the city cop of any wrongdoing in the death of a seven-year-old Shar-Pei named Nala.

The officer was facing a slew of charges that included animal cruelty and mutilation of an animal.

Bolger's attorney, Steven Levin, argued in court that his client was only trying to put the dog out of its misery.

"He did everything they could to save that dog's life," Levin said.

Sarah Gossard is Nala's owner. She endured days of testimony and left the courthouse after the not guilty verdict--too distraught to speak.

But members of the mayor's Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission did speak up. They backed the prosecution in the case.

"What happened to Nala was absolutely tragic, and we are very sad and frustrated that a guilty verdict was not given today. It shows us that we have a lot more work to do," said Katie Flory, Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission.

nala

Nala was spotted roaming the streets of a Highlandtown neighborhood on that fateful June day. She had already bitten a pregnant woman who was trying to rescue her from traffic. That's when Bolger arrived on the scene.

As another officer subdued the dog, witnesses say Bolger sliced Nala's throat after it appeared she had choked herself on a pole used to control animals.

But Judge Melissa Phinn said in court that there just wasn't enough evidence to tarnish the officer's 20-year career with a guilty verdict.

"We are very grateful that the court based its decision on the facts, not on the rumors and the gossip that has spread on social media," Levin said.

As a result of the charges against him, Officer Bolger was suspended without pay. That forced him to retire from the department.

A second officer was also charged in the case, but charges were dropped against him before he went to court.

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