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Franklin County approves courthouse facility dog to support probation, courts
Summary
The Franklin County Commissioners approved a contract to place a trained courthouse facility dog with the probation and parole department. The dog, identified as Dudley, will be funded from the county's Act 77 offender fund and phased into service after a week of handler training.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a contract to place a courthouse facility dog with the county probation and parole department.
President Judge Myers, who led the presentation to the commissioners, described the dog's role in court and probation settings and said the dog will be used with victims and people under supervision. "They are that docile, and they will remain that docile," Myers said, describing the animals' temperament and training.
The judge told commissioners the county would acquire the dog through Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD) and that acquisition costs total $15,000. He said the dog's annual expenses will be paid from Act 77, the county offender fund, which is supported by supervision payments. "The dog's entire expenses, his acquisition cost ... is $15,000, but also his annual budget is paid exclusively out of Act 77," Myers said.
Myers said the dog identified for Franklin County has already undergone roughly two years of training with ECAD and that handlers will spend a mandatory week bonding and training with the dog in Connecticut before bringing the animal to Franklin County. The dog will be phased into work over a six- to eight-week period and will be available to criminal-justice stakeholders on an as-needed basis during typical working hours.
Probation staff identified four handlers for the program, including a primary handler named Kayla and Supervisor Stoner. Chief Wilburn noted that some veterinary and grooming services have been pledged by local businesses: Franklin Vet Associates will provide donated veterinary care and Paw Spa in Fayetteville will provide grooming every six weeks.
Commissioners approved the contract by voice vote. No dollar amounts for annual operating costs beyond the initial $15,000 acquisition were specified in the discussion beyond the statement that the annual budget will be covered by Act 77 funds.
The commissioners and project team said they anticipate a public announcement and formal welcome once the dog completes its phase-in. The dog has been introduced as "Dudley" in the presentation; staff noted some informal nicknames may emerge but that the dog will be officially Dudley while in service.
Votes at a glance: the contract to acquire and place a courthouse facility dog in the probation and parole department was approved by the board by voice vote.
