'Courtroom dog' helps young rape victim testify

[IScreamSundays]

Source: MSNBC

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Rosie, the first judicially approved courtroom dog in New York, was in the witness box here nuzzling a 15-year-old girl who was testifying that her father had raped and impregnated her. Rosie sat by the teenager's feet. At particularly bad moments, she leaned in.

When the trial ended in June with the father's conviction, the teenager "was most grateful to Rosie above all," said David A. Crenshaw, a psychologist who works with the teenager. "She just kept hugging Rosie."

Now an appeal planned by the defense lawyers is placing Rosie at the heart of a legal debate that will test whether there will be more Rosies in courtrooms in New York and, possibly, other states.

Rosie is a golden retriever therapy dog who specializes in comforting people when they are under stress. Both prosecutors and defense lawyers have described her as adorable, though she has been known to slobber. Prosecutors here noted that she is also in the vanguard of a growing trial trend: in Arizona, Hawaii, Indiana, Idaho and some other states in the last few years, courts have allowed such trained dogs to offer children and other vulnerable witnesses nuzzling solace in front of juries.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44063161/ns/us_news-the_new_york_times/

[hlthe2b]

1. This is wonderful and long overdue...

We are only beginning to see the value of dogs in these kind of situations. Good Rosie. You are one good doggy.

[Odin2005]

2. K&R

[brooklynite]

3. The defendant in this case is challenging the use of the dog...

...arguing that it would reduce stress for people lying as well as telling the truth...

[JAnthony]

4. I'm sure defendants' attorneys will come up with any kind of excuse

when they have a guilty party.

Let's let the DNA convict him, (she was impregnated, so DNA is ample) that and the testimony of the daughter, who obviously has no problem with such an awful memory, not any problem identifying the perpetrator.

[Wait Wut]

5. Poor girl.

I'm so glad Rosie was there for her. Now, let's let Rosie have a go at "dad" and see if she can't fix his "problem".

[KurtNYC]

6. Dogs should not be used as weapons

or for revenge. They can be seriously injured, traumatized and can wind up being put down because someone decides that the dog should be used in the manner your post is suggesting.

[Wait Wut]

7. Wow.

Did you think I was serious? I'm so not into the whole :sarcasm: thingy. I've owned dogs my whole life, including four pit bulls. Not one of them ever bit a single person or even showed aggression. Well, Max did when some tweaker tried to jump me. She didn't even make contact, though.

I would love to see "dad" legally castrated, though. Probably not realistic to believe that Rosie would be chosen as the castrator.

[smirkymonkey]

8. Awww....Good Girl Rosie!

What a beautiful animal inside and out. I am so glad she could help this little girl.

When I was young and was sad or crying because I had been abused by my stepmother, our dog always knew just what we needed and would curl up in our laps or lick our tears away to comfort us. I don't know what I would have done with out the unconditional love and sense of security that dog brought me. I know dogs help a lot of people in pain - I hope they allow this to become a regular thing for children and vulnerable victims.

[Auntie Bush]

9. I'm adopting a Jack Russell Terrier on Sunday named Rosie.

I'm sure she'll be just as comforting to me.

[smirkymonkey]

12. I am sure she will - have fun with her, she will be your best

friend ever! After a while, you won't know how you lived with out her! :)

They need a lot of excercise though, or they will tear your house apart - but that's good, because they will keep you moving too! Good Luck! :hug:

[tawadi]

10. Good dog

:-)

[nilram]

11. damn, if I was in a similar situation, I'd just love to tell rosie about it

rather than looking at any lawyers or any one else. And I'm 37 years older than she is.