Clay County approves facility dog for county attorney’s office; funding from forfeiture funds

The Clay County Board of Commissioners on March 4 approved a request from the county attorney’s office to pursue a courthouse facility dog from Helping Paws and to fund the dog’s expenses from federal/state forfeiture funds, county officials said.

County attorneys presented findings from other Minnesota counties that operate facility dogs in courthouses and prosecutors’ offices, citing improved victim support and courtroom testimony experiences. The county attorney’s office proposed that the dog be assigned to a trained handler within the office, remain on leash and under handler control while on duty, and live with the handler during off hours. The office indicated the dog would not be treated as a pet or an emotional‑support animal but as a workplace facility dog with formal rules and limits on access.

Staff described Helping Paws’ process: dogs are bred and trained for roughly two years, cost about $300 to the host agency (after training investment the organization estimates at roughly $30,000 per dog), and include handler training. Counties that already have facility dogs reported administrative arrangements for handlers (paid time, parking or post-retirement transfer of the dog), and the county attorney’s office asked the board to allow a contract that would transfer the dog to the handler at retirement, similar to arrangements for K‑9 handlers.

The county attorney’s office proposed to pay first-year operating costs from forfeiture funds and to have the primary handler be the assistant criminal chief (who volunteered without requesting additional compensation). Commissioners asked about allergies and cultural concerns; staff said the dog would be presented only to people who want contact and would be kept separate from staff or visitors who do not. The board approved the request, with funding to come from forfeiture funds, by voice vote.