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Commissioners approve facility dog for county attorney’s office, funding to come from forfeiture funds
Summary
The board authorized the county attorney’s office to pursue a facility dog through Helping Paws, approved using forfeiture funds to cover startup and ongoing costs, and set parameters for handler and custody upon retirement.
Clay County commissioners on Tuesday approved the county attorney’s office request to obtain a facility (courthouse) dog and to use forfeiture funds to cover associated costs.
County Attorney Brian Bridal and Chief of the Criminal Division Pam Foster described the program and cited other Minnesota counties that operate facility dogs in courthouses and prosecutors’ offices. Foster said facility dogs are trained to provide a calming presence for children and other traumatized witnesses during interviews and testimony, to support staff after difficult cases, and to assist other court participants when directed by a handler.
Procurement and operations: Foster said the county would seek a candidate dog from Helping Paws, a nonprofit that breeds and trains facility dogs. Foster explained the program timeline is typically lengthy — dogs undergo about two years of training before placement — and that Helping Paws charges a nominal placement fee (the speaker said $300) after investing roughly $30,000 per dog in breeding and training. The county attorney’s office provided a first‑year cost estimate of about $3,400 for startup items and training; staff told the board those costs would be paid from forfeiture funds and not county tax levies.
Handler, custody and insurance: Pam Foster said she would serve as the primary handler and would not seek additional pay beyond ordinary compensation. The office proposed that the county formalize that the dog would transfer to the handler upon the dog’s retirement, similar to local K‑9 practices. Commissioners asked about allergies and public‑access accommodations; Foster said the dog would be kept in a crate/bed when not working, would always be on a leash in public spaces, and would never be presented to someone who did not want contact. The office also said it would work with the county’s insurance provider (MCIT) to add appropriate coverage.
Formal action: A commissioner moved and the board approved the request, with the motion including the use of forfeiture funds to pay for dog acquisition and related expenses.
Ending: Staff said they have submitted a letter of interest to Helping Paws, and next steps include a site visit and match process; commissioners welcomed the plan and asked the office to return with updates as the placement proceeds.
