Police dog makes courthouse history in B.C.

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Police dog makes courthouse history in B.C.
Postmedia Network
First posted: Sunday, May 31, 2015 01:12 PM EDT | Updated: Sunday, May 31, 2015 02:12 PM EDT
A police dog made history in B.C. Thursday when it helped a child sexual assault victim testify at trial.
The Criminal Code allows witnesses under the age of 18 to have a “support person” present at such trials, but prior to this ruling there was no provision for that “support person” to be accompanied by an accredited courthouse dog.
So in stepped Caber, a seven-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, who's been with the Delta Police since 2010.
“This judgment is an important acknowledgement by the court that the Criminal Justice System can continue to evolve and be innovative in accommodating children and vulnerable victims so their access to justice is enhanced," Surrey Crown Counsel Winston Sayson is quoted as saying on force's site.
Caber’s handler, Kim Gramlich, said the lab "provided an invaluable service that allowed the witness to get through her highly traumatic and emotional testimony.
"While testifying, the child bent down several times to pet Caber which appeared to refocus and calm her.”
The first ever use of a dog in a courtroom to support a victim occurred in Calgary last December with Hawk, also an accredited dog. Since then, accredited K9 Wren has also been allowed in the courtroom in a case in Edmonton earlier this year.
Delta Police dog Caber (Photo courtesy of the Delta Police)

Police dog makes courthouse history in B.C. | Canada | News | Toronto Sun