Court Case Dog Program FAQs
Chicago’s Court Case Dog Program started in January 2010 through the efforts of Safe Humane Chicago, D.A.W.G. Court Advocacy, Best Friends Animal Society and Chicago Animal Care & Control (CACC). These organizations sought to establish a more compassionate and dog-friendly approach to a serious problem. Some of these dogs were held at CACC for two years or more. Because of our program and partnerships in the court system, this is no longer happening.
Who are “Court Case Dogs”?
Court Case Dogs have been relinquished (voluntarily or by court order) by defendant owners charged with animal abuse or neglect of all kinds and are housed at Chicago Animal Care & Control.
What does the Court Case Dog Program do?
The Court Case Dog Program gives the chance of life outside Chicago ACC to dogs associated with criminal court cases in Cook County, Illinois. Dog trainers and volunteers work as a team with rescue and animal welfare groups, foster homes, adopters, donors and others to help these dogs find and keep loving homes. The program offers needed resources for these dogs, their caregivers and adopters, including a protocol of socialization, training and enrichment to meet each dog’s individual needs; time with trainers and volunteers while at Chicago ACC; and free training and behavioral assessments once they leave Chicago ACC.
Why is a program needed for Court Case Dogs?
Previously, dogs associated with court cases were routinely euthanized when relinquished or after a guilty outcome in their owners’ court cases. Now they are assessed, and as individuals. The dogs in this program are victims of thoughtless or inhumane owners and court systems that leave them impounded in cages for needlessly long periods. These dogs deserve to be given the chance of life in a home.
Can Court Case Dogs be adopted straight from Chicago Animal Care and Control?
The Court Case Dogs are not generally adopted from Chicago Animal Care and Control. They rely on rescues and shelters to transfer them into programs. If you are a rescue or a shelter, please see Information for Rescues and Shelters to learn how to transfer a Court Case Dog into your program.
How do Court Case Dogs end up in the justice system?
Dogs in the Court Case Program were rescued by police and animal control officers because they were victims of neglect or cruelty. They were not given adequate food, water, or vet care; left chained indefinitely in extreme conditions; in a few cases violently abused, and in some cases unlawfully kept by certain felons. Whatever they endured from people, each dog is assessed as an individual for individual socialization and training needs. Now they need to be out of the stressful circumstances in a municipal shelter. They may be better off than they were, but they cannot thrive where they are. Our volunteers work with them several times a week. But that's not enough to keep them mentally or physically safe.
Please click the below links for more information on:
Dogs Available for Transfer and Adoption
Information for Rescues and Shelters
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