There is a pending prosecution in Maryland that continues to shock the animal rights community, and others. Baltimore police officer Jeffrey Bolger has been charged with animal cruelty for maliciously killing a family’s 7-year-old Shar-Pei, Nala. Bolger allegedly threatened to “gut” the dog and then slit its throat.
Nala had escaped from owner Sarah Gossard’s yard on Saturday through an open gate and a nearby neighbor Sandy Fleischer tried to check the dog’s tags, but Nala nipped her, causing a superficial wound. Fleischer then called police. She later said that the nip was her fault and that the dog was just scared and reacted when she tried to touch it.
The police arrived and corralled the dog and then secured her with a long dog-control pole. That when things turned horrific. Fleischer said that the police officers are being unnecessary cruel to the dog before it was killed by twisting and hurting the dog. One officer had his knee on the dog’s chest. She said the the dog was whining in pain.
Witnesses said that they heard Bolger say “I’m going to fucking gut this thing” as he got out of his cruiser. Bolger then pulled out a knife and slit Nala’s throat as Officer Thomas Schmidt held her down. Witnesses say that the dog was already immobilized against the ground. Moreover, the knife was not police issued which suggests that it was Bolger’s privately owned weapon.
BPD Deputy Commissioner Dean Palmere insisted that “Officers were appalled by what they saw, as were other citizens.” After the charges against Bolger, prosecutors secured an indictment against Officer Thomas Schmidt. Schmidt is accused of holding down Nala as Bolger slit her throat.
Bolger is now suspended without pay and faces with felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty, animal cruelty and malfeasance in office. His trial is set for July 28th, but I have been unable to locate any reports of the trial actually beginning (suggesting that it may have been postponed). If anyone has an update on the trial, we would be interested in following the case.
There is also a possible tort lawsuit that could be brought for negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and damage to property. In the United States, pets remain chattel and their pain and suffering is not actionable. Instead, the pet is valued at their replacement cost. Damages are secured through the pain and suffering of the owner by being such torts as intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress. The fact that the owners were not present at the time of the killing could make the latter more challenging. Moreover, the negligence of the owners in allowing Nala to escape would be raised. Nevertheless, the horrific response by the officers would likely overcome the defense claims with a jury. While the police department did the right thing in suspending both officers, it would still be potentially liable under respondeat superior for the actions of the officers. A rogue officer defense will likely not work in a situation like this as a complete defense. The post hoc response however could have an impact on damages against the department.
davidm2575 I read the story.
What’s going on with our police? Too many reports of police violence against normal every day people. And reports of police taking cell phones and cameras of people taking pictures of the police. These actions are criminal.
I ask again, what is going on with our police?
At the very least a shoulder rocket launcher.
He probably wants a tank for xmas.
I wonder if Sandy Fleischer will call the police the next time an unknown dog enters her yard.
From the perspective of deciding whether the police can be helpful or not, this case somewhat reminds me of when the police were called for 95 year old John Wrana living in the nursing home and not wanting to go to the hospital. The police end up killing him with tasers and shooting him with bean bags.
http://jonathanturley.org/2013/09/19/95-year-old-man-in-nursing-home-resists-going-to-hospital-police-arrive-and-shoot-and-kill-him-stun-gun-and-bean-bag-rounds/
Help! Lost a post!
This is a good reminder that when a dog is at large, you should call Animal Control, NOT the police, unless the dog is aggressive and a clear and present danger.
I am sickened by what happened. It appears there was no reason whatsoever to kill the dog. She was already immobilized.
Shar peis are a strong fighting breed, China’s version of the pit bull. They often do not like being handled by strangers. So it is very important to socialize them early. But it does not sound like she was actually aggressive, just scared.
There was no excuse for this cop to kill a pet.
I’ve known many cops who love dogs. The K-9s are typically beloved by the whole precinct. I’ve heard many stories about cop’s heroic actions.
I do not dispute in any way the stories of police misconduct featured on this blog. But if that was all I read about police, I would think they were all psychopathic loose cannons. I wish, for balance, that Professor Turley would also occasionally feature a positive story about the police.
Karen, I retrieved your comment at 12:28.
Hopefully he will never have another job as a police officer after he serves time in prison. Get him out of society and into a controlled environment where he can’t kill.
steve, Should we just lynch the Ferguson cop????
Kill a dog, get fired and charged. Kill an African American human, get $400,000 in support money and paid leave.
I should say, “is” a psychopath. He still inhabits earth.
Harry, BTK was a psychopath.
Cops murder people and don’t get charged. Cops murder dog and get charged.
What a country.
This is what the people are rebelling against. Abuse of “Authority”, not there to serve and protect. Our noble police officers need to clean up their own precincts or be placed in the same category as the abuse of power officers.
If these charges are proven, these two killers need to be put away for a long time. Disgusting.
Thanks for the update, Simms.
The other officers at the scene were so appalled that they immediately report it to their superiors……..no….that did’nt happen……shocker
Well, if he loses his job, he can always apply over at ISIS! I hear they are taking applications from ruthless murderers.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Ross,
Yep.
Stasi (Western Division)?