Closing Arguments In Trial Of Officer Accused Of Slitting Dog's Throat

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Attorneys wrap up closing arguments in the trial of a city police officer accused of slitting a dog's throat last summer. The case drew outrage from animal owners across the city.

Gigi Barnett has more from both sides in the case.

Officer Jeffrey Bolger leaves the city east courthouse as the case against him rests in the hands of a judge. He's accused of killing Nala, a seven-year-old Shar-Pei, by slitting the dog's throat.

Closing arguments in the trial wrapped up Wednesday.

Bolger's defense attorney, Steven Levin, told Judge Melissa Phinn that his client only cut Nala's throat after she strangled herself on a pole that's commonly used to control animals and that Bolger did it to put the dog out of her misery.

He's facing several charges that include animal cruelty.

"Counts and two must fall," Levin told the judge, "because the state can't prove that Officer Bolger made the cut that killed the dog."

"I have a lot of problems with a lot of the things I'm hearing," said Sarah Gossard, Nala's owner.

Gossard is Nala's owner. Last summer, the Shar-Pei was spotted roaming the streets in Canton. She had bitten a pregnant women who was trying to rescue her from traffic.

That's when Bolger was called to the scene. As another officer subdued the dog, witnesses say Bolger sliced Nala's throat.

Prosecutors and Gossard called it an unnecessary killing.

"It makes you question if you're in trouble or you need help to call authorities because if something like this can happen if maybe they're having a bad day or they're going to react on a whim," said Gossard.

Members of the mayor's Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission are closely watching the case. They're throwing support behind the prosecution and looking for justice for Nala.

"This is a case where justice needs to come about for Nala. We feel that Officer Bolger did kill Nala without any regard," said Katie Flory, chair of mayor's Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission.

The defense says there's a law on the books that allows an officer to put a dog down on the spot under extreme circumstances and when an animal has been deemed dangerous.

The prosecution says that was just not the case when it comes to Nala.

Officer Bolger opted for a bench trial. Judge Melissa Phinn says her decision will come Thursday morning at 9 a.m.