Max, a 7-year-old Golden Retriever, was adopted this week from the Lincoln County Animal Shelter by the Somerset County Jail. Max will be commissioned as an Officer by Sheriff Barry De Long when he arrives at his new home.

Qualifications for becoming an Officer Dog are: l) He or she must be calm and in good health - 2) easily move among the inmates who will be given the opportunity to learn basic animal care and who need a ‘friend’ -- one who does not pass judgment -- one who can help each inmate with the transition into a jail environment.

Deputy Dogs are not drug detection or attack trained.

The Deputy Dog Program is overseen by the Programs Manager. Expenses associated with the program will come from the Inmate Benefit funds.

Max will have the run of the Dayroom whenever the inmates involved in the program are allowed dayroom use. He will be fed twice a day with these inmates. Max will have his own clean quarters, soft bed, toys and fresh water. He will be walked five times a day.

Deputy Dog Handlers will submit a request to be involved in this program to the Programs Manager on an Inmate Request form. Inmates must have been disciplinary free for 30 days to be recommended for Deputy Dog Duty. Each Handler will receive training prior to assuming his role.

UPDATE

Lincoln County Manager, Betsy Pratt, received word this morning that Officer Max assumed his duties at once on arriving at the Somerset County Jail. Last evening at dinner-time he went from table to table introducing himself to each inmate.

If this program proves to be successful future Deputy Dogs may be introduced into prison environments throughout the State.

Kelly Patton Brook / Lincoln County Animals Shelter Director. home phone: 586-5604. kpbrook@lincoln.midcoast.com