Dog helps girl testify against rapist

[Kadie]

Dog helps girl testify against rapist
Published: June 18, 2011 at 2:18 PM

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., June 18 (UPI) -- With the help of a golden lab, a 14-year-old girl was able to testify against the man who started raping her when she was 10, prosecutors in New York said.

snip...
In a Poughkeepsie (N.Y.) Journal report, the prosecuting attorney said Rose, the "human companion" trained to sense stress in children, definitely helped the victim through difficult testimony.

"Rose absolutely, without question, gave her the strength she needed to get through her testimony," said Dutchess County Senior Assistant District Attorney Kristine Hawlk after a 12-person jury convicted Tohom of predatory sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

As the victim testified, Rose nuzzled her and asked for attention and the girl petted and stroked her. The two were in almost constant contact during her testimony, the newspaper reported.


Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/06/18/Dog-helps-girl-testify-against-rapist/UPI-79431308421115/#ixzz1PfYnBMxP

[NYC_SKP]

1. Nothing, not a thing, makes me more sad than abuse like this of children.

Nothing.

Years of rape starting at age 10.

So very very sad.

:cry:

[Demoiselle]

2. It is a terrible story..

But the image of that sweet gentle animal helping the girl get through her testimony is a little bit of comfort.