Justice Facility Dogs in Idaho
Peggy Sherbon
Idaho State Coordinator
Justice Facility Dogs US
These agencies have professional handlers working with certified facility dogs in Idaho.
Ada County Prosecuting Attorney, Boise (CCI)
Bannock County Prosecuting Attorney, Pocatello (NEADS)
Bonner County Prosecuting Attorney, Sandpoint – 2 dogs (CCI, DBL))
Safe Passage Child Advocacy Center, Couer d’Alene (ADNW)
Facility dog Ken, trained by Canine Companions
Law governing the use of certified facility dogs in court
See full text of the Idaho law here.
Appellate Court Decision
State of Idaho v. Nuss (2019)
Full text of the opinion here.
Nuss argued the district court abused its discretion by allowing the facility dog to accompany a testifying child. The appellant objected to the dog’s presence, the handler’s presence, and that the facility dog was allowed to exit the courtroom in the jury’s presence, and these actions prejudiced Nuss’ right to a fair trial.
The Idaho Court of Appeals held that Idaho Code § 19-3023 requires the district court to allow the presence of both a facility dog and its handler during a child’s testimony, absent written findings of undue prejudice; the facility dog and its handler did not prejudice Nuss’s constitutional right to a fair trial and the district court properly instructed the jury about the presence of the facility dog and its handler.
The appellate court found that the district court did not abuse its discretion by allowing the facility dog, along with its handler, to accompany the victim at the witness stand during her testimony.
ADI Accredited Organizations
The following organizations place facility dogs in the state of Alabama. Please visit their websites to find out more about each organization.
ADW – Assistance Dogs of the West