Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Paw & Order: Staten Island DA Hires "Bronksey" The Comfort Dog
By
Garth Johnston
Published May 30, 2012
Modified May 31, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published May 30, 2012
Modified May 31, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Woof! What's that girl? Another reason to love Staten Island? Woof, woof woof! Indeed. In case you don't speak dog, what we just told you is that Staten Island just went and changed the game on all of us. How? By being home to the first city prosecutor to hire a "facility dog" or "comfort dog" to help aid crime victims. The city's newest hire is a two-year-old, 74 pound, Black Labrador/Golden Retriever mix named Bronksey and he's adorable.
Don't pretend you don't want to take him home. Don't even try.
"As a prosecutor, I feel obligated to do everything I can to make it easier for victims of crime, who must constantly relive what was likely the most physically, psychologically and emotionally traumatizing experience of their lives as they go through the criminal justice process," Staten Island D.A. Daniel Donovan said today when announcing the hire. "There is something magical about the presence or touch of a loving dog that helps victims forget their pain and fear, if just for a moment, and be able to concentrate on moving forward and healing."
Meanwhile, Bronksey has actually been working already in Richmond County! According to the DA's office:
"Just last week, a 12-year-old boy was waiting to testify to a Staten Island Grand Jury about the abuse he suffered at the hands of a relative. The boy was visibly anxious and scared. But when Bronksey approached, the boy immediately smiled and began to play with the dog—and seemed to forget the horrible experience he was about to relay to the Grand Jury."
Bronksey was donated to the office by Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), a non-profit organization that breeds, trains, and places dogs for a variety of uses, including as therapy dogs and assistance dogs for the disabled. Normally the cost of breeding, raising and training such a pup can reach $45,000, according to CCI.
Each CCI dog is selected when they are eight-weeks-old and are placed with volunteer puppy raisers, who teach the animals basic commands and socialization skills. At about one-and-a-half the dogs move to one of CCI's facilities for six months of advanced training, where it will master more than 50 specialized commands.
So, the real question is, how long till Cy Vance and the other city DA's follow suit?
Tagged
awww
bronksey
comfort dog
staten island
staten island da
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 11, 2026 at 1:49 p.m. ET
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters
By
Mike Hayes
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .