Courthouse Dog Sparks Attorneys’ Concern

TYLER — Two lawyers in Tyler plan to fight the use of a Smith County Courthouse facility dog in any child sexual abuse case. According to KETK, they say the dog may be swaying the jury against their clients. Macy the courthouse dog provides a way to comfort children as they testify in court about alleged sexual abuse. Attorney Jason Cassel says the dog is branded with a vest that would imply the dog is a service animal helping someone in need.

Cassel believes the dog can be somewhat persuasive. He says, “If you see a child walk up there, or any witness, with a service animal wearing this vest — and you can’t help but think it lends credence to whatever they’re gonna tell you, because clearly, whether subconsciously or not, they’re gonna assume that there’s validity to what that person says.” Cassel has concerns that the dog may lead the jury to believe that sexual assault has taken place even if it never happened.