Vulnerable witnesses and victims required to attend court are to have a new four-legged friend help to put them at ease as they make their way through the criminal justice system.
Fresh out of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP) the new canine court companion is Zeb (pictured), a two-year-old who Attorney-General, Kyam Maher said was a specially-trained Labrador ready to offer canine comfort to those in need, especially children who were anxious or distressed in their encounters with the criminal justice system.
“Zeb will assist victims and witnesses of crime feel supported and calm and help them engage with the DPP,” Mr Maher said.
He said Zeb was the second dog to take on the role after the sad passing of South Australia’s inaugural canine court companion, Zero, in late January this year.
“Zero helped many of the more than 300 child and adolescent victims and witnesses who are involved in the criminal justice system each year, having started his paw patrol in March 2019,” Mr Maher said.
The Attorney-General said that like his trailblazing predecessor, Zeb was being trained by Guide Dogs SA/NT in a joint initiative with the DPP, as part of a program which started in late 2018.
“Zeb is now a few months into his on-the-job training, which includes becoming comfortable with his working environment,” he said.
Mr Maher said it was hoped Zeb would be ready for in-courtroom hearings by the end of the year.
Chief Executive for Guide Dogs SA/NT, Aaron Chia said Zeb had a relaxed demeanour and would be a calming influence for children and others who needed support when participating in the South Australian criminal justice system.
