The new role for dogs as testimony enablers can, however, raise thorny legal questions. Defense lawyers argue that the dogs may unfairly sway jurors with their cuteness and the natural empathy they attract, whether a witness is telling the truth or not, and some prosecutors insist that the courtroom dogs can be a crucial comfort to those enduring the ordeal of testifying, especially children.
The new witness-stand role for dogs in several states began in 2003, when the prosecution won permission for a dog named Jeeter with a beige button nose to help in a sexual assault case in Seattle. “Sometimes the dog means the difference between a conviction and an acquittal,” said Ellen O’Neill-Stephens, a prosecutor there who has become a campaigner for the dog-in-court cause.
Service dogs have long been permitted in courts. But in a ruling in June that allowed Rosie to accompany the teenage rape victim to the trial here, a Dutchess County Court judge, Stephen L. Greller, said the teenager was traumatized and the defendant, Victor Tohom, appeared threatening. Although he said there was no precedent in the state, Judge Greller ruled that Rosie was similar to the teddy bear that a New York appeals court said in 1994 could accompany a child witness.
At least once when the teenager hesitated in Judge Greller’s courtroom, the dog rose and seemed to push the girl gently with her nose. Mr. Tohom was convicted and sentenced to 25 years to life.
Is the mere presence of a cute dog who offers comfort an unfairly prejudicial influence on a jury? Interesting question, isn’t it?
The dog park question in Vancouver: It’s a never-ending recurrence: the tension between the rights of dog owners and non-dog owners in public spaces. The latest setting is Vancouver, British Columbia. The story comes from the Globe and Mail.
Beware of counterfeit medication: How many times have we warned against buying bargain medications from online retailers because of the risk of them being counterfeit (and even worse, harmful)? The latest troubling anecdote appeared in the Daily Kos. Marge Wright tipped me to the link discussing the fatal poisoning of a dog in Centreville, Virginia, due to probable bogus knockoff medication packaged as Frontline. EPA and FDA both know about it. Still, every year dogs and cats die because the truth never goes away: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. The ten or twenty bucks you think you’re saving aren’t worth your pet’s life.
Heartworm supply shortage: Speaking of medication, VIN News confirms the shortage of Immiticide that has been looming since last year is reaching an even more serious levels.
Little known kitteh fact? CathyA forwarded this link to me (as well as the heartworm link above), and I don’t have a reason to dispute it…though I can’t confirm it, either. When cats are stressed, their right ear is hotter than their left. Anyone want to test this one out and report back?
Fun infographic! Thanks to the Pet365Blog, via Dogster, for this fun infographic: Dog vs. Human anatomy facts.
Video of the week comes from my pal Miz in Sacramento: Herm vs. the stairs. What’s that? I only cited it because it shows a little bitty dachshund? I have no idea what you’re talking about. Is that a dachshund? Really? I didn’t know.
I always like to hear from readers, especially if you have tips, and links for interesting stories. Give me a shout in the comments, or better yet, send me an e-mail.
Image credit: Rosie, Kelly Shimoda for NYT.
No comments:
Post a Comment