DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — An Atlanta Police Department (APD) officer is now facing serious felony charges after prosecutors say she tortured her dog — a beloved Labrador mix named Layla — before ultimately killing her. The accused, Officer Zabria Jarie Bridges, was arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, according to the recent indictment.
Prosecutors allege that Bridges inflicted “severe or prolonged physical pain” on Layla. The indictment states that she intentionally broke the dog’s bones, seriously damaged Layla’s spleen, and subjected the animal to prolonged suffering before delivering a final, fatal beating.
The incident reportedly occurred inside an apartment at the Emblem Riverside Apartments on Riverside Parkway, in Lithia Springs, Douglas County. According to the arrest warrant, the abuse happened between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., and police were called around 10 a.m. for what was described as a “welfare check.”
When officers responded, the scene reportedly revealed the horror: Layla with multiple broken bones, internal bleeding, and other catastrophic injuries. The condition was severe enough that the internal damage “ultimately caused the death of the dog,” the warrant said.
Following the allegations, APD placed Bridges on immediate administrative leave — without pay — while the investigation proceeds. The department released a statement emphasizing that they “hold its personnel to the highest standards of conduct, both on and off duty.”
Bridges, 25 (some reports say 26), joined the Atlanta Police Department in November 2024 after serving about seven months with the Clayton County Police Department, from which she voluntarily resigned in September of that same year.
As of now, her bond was reportedly set at $5,000, and she no longer remains in custody, though the case remains open and under scrutiny by both law enforcement and animal-protection advocates.
This case has sparked outrage and sorrow among animal lovers and the broader community. For many, Layla wasn’t just a pet — she was family. The grisly nature of the alleged abuse and the fact that it was committed by someone sworn to protect others have only deepened the sense of betrayal. As the legal process gets underway, all eyes will be on how justice is served — not just for Layla, but for the principle that cruelty has no place, especially under the badge.
