Connecticut Law About Dogs

Connecticut Law About Comfort and Support Dogs For Witnesses
These links connect to resources available and are provided with the understanding
that they represent only a starting point for research.

This page is maintained pursuant to the provisions of Public Act 17-185 (effective October 1, 2017)

Connecticut law permits a judge to exercise his or her discretion to allow a dog to provide comfort and support to a testifying witness.
See S tate of Connecticut v. Devon D., 321 Conn. 656, 138 A. 2d 849 (2016)

Please note: Comfort and support dogs do not meet the definition of "service dogs" under the ADA.

This web page has many external links to valuable resources. Please view our Linkage Policy for more information.

Recent Public Acts

Case Law

Public Act 17-185. An Act Concerning the Provision of Information about the Use of Therapy Dogs to Comfort and Support Testifying Witnesses In Certain Criminal Prosecutions (effective October 1, 2017).
- Summary of Public Act 17-185

Information and Resources

211 CT - Animal Assisted Therapy

Assistance Dogs International - Standards for Facility Dogs

Courthouse Dogs Foundation

Courthouse Dogs Foundation - Best Practices Manual

Paws 'N Effect - Paw Cares Program
- Rules and Policies

Pet Partners - terminology

Soul Friends - Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Connecticut

Tails of Joy - Providing Therapeutic Benefit to People Through the Use of Animals

Please note: Some organizations may provide comfort and support dogs for witnesses at no charge.

Research Guides

Research guides prepared by the Connecticut Judicial Branch law librarians:

Connecticut:

State of Connecticut v. Devon D., 321 Conn. 656, 138 A. 2d 849 (2016) The Appellate Court incorrectly concluded that the trial court had abused its discretion in permitting a dog to sit near C1 for comfort and support during her trial testimony.

State of Connecticut v. Devon D., 150 Conn. App. 538 n.10 for a discussion differentiating between the terms service dogs, therapy dogs, and facility dogs.

Other Jurisdictions:

State of Tennessee v. Jose Reyes, 505 S.W. 3d 890 (2016)
People v. Johnson, 889 N.W. 2d 513 (2016)
Ohio v. Jacobs, Court of Appeals of Ohio, 9th District, Summit County, 2015-Ohio-4353
The People v. Darrell L. Chenault, 175 Cal. Rptr.3d 1 (2014)
The People of the State of New York v. Victor Tohom, 969 N.Y.S. 2d 123 (2013)
State of Washington v. Timothy Dye, 309 P.3d 1192 (2013)

Law Reviews

Marianne Dellinger, Using Dogs for Emotional Support of Testifying Victims of Crime, 15 Animal Law Review 171 (2008)
John Ensminger, Cases and Statutes on the Use of Dogs by Witnesses While Testifying in Criminal Proceedings: A Periodically Updated Online Article, Animal Legal & Historical Center, Michigan State University College of Law, 2016.

Debra S. Hart-Cohen, Canines in the Courtroom, 26 GP Solo No. 5, July/Augst 2009.

Casey Holder, Comment: All Dogs Go to Court: The Impact of Court Facility Dogs as Comfort for Child Witnesses on a Defendant's Right to a Fair Trial, 50 Houston Law Review 1155, (Symposium, 2013)

Gabriela N. Sandoval, Court Facility Dog - Easing the Apprehensive Witness, 39 Colorado Lawyer, No. 4, April 2010.

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