On October 15, 2017 at approximately 6:08PM Transit Police officers assigned to the North District received a radio call to respond to the Salem Commuter Rail Parking Garage for a report of a possible injured dog inside a parked vehicle. Upon arrival officers located the vehicle and observed the body of a lifeless French Bulldog in the front passenger seat and what appeared to be large amounts of vomit from the dog. As officers were making attempts to enter the vehicle, with assistance from the Salem Fire Department, the dog's owners, Brendan Bulfin, 38, of New York and Courtney Casey, 28, of New York, arrived on scene. Officers were now able to enter the vehicle and confirmed the 3 year old French Bulldog named "Nigil" was deceased.
Subsequent to an investigation by Transit Police Detectives to include witness and Nigil's owners interviews it is believed Nigil, initially alive and well, was left unattended in an enclosed vehicle in excess of 5 hours on a 73 degree day. Studies have shown on an average 75 degree day the temperature inside an enclosed vehicle will raise to 122 degrees in 1 hour.
Bulfin and Casey were placed into custody for Cruelty to Animals and transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process.
media inquiries should be directed to Superintendent Richard Sullivan at rsullivan@mbta.com
the events listed above are allegations; All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt