BERLIN – Legislation passed in the Maryland General Assembly this year could allow a local facility dog to accompany children as they testify in court.
During this year’s General Assembly session, legislators in Annapolis introduced cross-filed bills – House Bill 311 and Senate Bill 101 – establishing a program to provide a facility dog or therapy dog to a child witness in any circuit court proceeding in the state. The bill introduced in the Senate passed unanimously in January, and the bill introduced in the House of Delegates passed unanimously in February.
At the Cricket Center – Worcester County’s only child advocacy center – the legislation could provide its facility dog, Josiah, an opportunity to further assist child abuse victims.
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It would be common sense and kind to allow the child victim to have the dog with them, but a law is needed!
ReplyDeleteSupport dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, etc.... Wtf is going on in our society?! If a kid brings his or her favorite stuffed animal to school they would be mocked. What's with all these crutches people need these days?!
ReplyDeleteThe kids this agency helps are not like the idiots with a support peacock trying to pull a fast one... these are abused children, sometimes horribly neglected/ abused...if it makes them calmer, happier, and help them with the intimidating court process, I'm all for it.
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