3 New Dogs Tapped As 'Heroes Of The DA's Office'

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman Thursday welcomed three new recruits — Miata, Johnnie, and Corbin — dogs who will serve as part of the office's second-generation victim services K-9 teams.

The K-9 teams consist of a facility dog and a specially trained victim services representative who serves as the dog's primary handler.

Supervising victim services representatives Ashley Meyers and Skippy, Emyrene Coleman and Nora, and Paulina Bernard and Lennox compose LADA's K-9 teams. Each handler on Thursday was paired with a second-generation facility dog.

Joining the team were Miata, a 2-year-old Labrador retriever, Johnnie, a soon to be 2-year-old standard poodle, and Corbin, a year-old border collie/poodle mix.

"These K-9s are heroes of the DA's office, providing immeasurable strength and support to children and other vulnerable victims as they navigate the criminal justice system in the aftermath of horrific, life-altering crimes," Hochman said in a statement.

The dogs are used to comfort crime victims as they provide and prepare for testimony in court.

"Just being able to pet a kind and calming canine can give strength to a witness who stands and testifies in court against their offender," Hochman said. "We extend a heartfelt welcome to Miata, Johnnie and Corbin as they begin their career at LADA, ensuring our office can offer this invaluable service to crime victims for years to come."

The program launched in 2017, and dogs have provided support to more than 1,625 victims and witnesses, ranging in age from 6 to 78, according to Hochman's office.

Dogs have provided support to victims at all 14 courts in Los Angeles County, according to the LADA's office.

To date, the K-9 teams have provided support and assistance to child and adult victims at:

• more than 700 preliminary hearings and trials;
• 82 sentencing proceedings;
• 55 interviews of children for consideration of filing charges; and
• more than 80 meetings with prosecutors and child victims to prepare for preliminary hearings or trials.

Additionally, the K-9 teams have responded to six mass casualty shootings to provide trauma assistance to victims, witnesses and their loved ones.

Handlers and their dogs responded to the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas in October 2017, where 60 people were killed and 413 people were injured.

The teams also responded after the January 2023 mass shooting that occurred in Monterey Park.

City News Service