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Kiya Gibbons / Special to The Detroit News Amos, a kind and lovable chocolate Lab in Michigan sometimes puts in long days at the courthouse. He's not sniffing for bombs or patrolling the grounds, but he is protecting and serving. Amos works as a canine guardian and comforter of sorts and helps reduce anxiety for children who have to appear in court. Amos has been trained to sit patiently near children for hours as they either wait to take the stand or testify in court, reports The Detroit News. Recently he accompanied two young victims who each testified for more than two hours against a defendant in a sexual misconduct trial. The dog is part of the Canine Advocacy Program (CAP), which ...

Photo: Turner Broadcasting Move over Judge Judy, there's a new TV trial show in town -- and this one's dedicated to four-legged victims and perps. Hillsborough County Judge Nick Nazaretian gives animals their day in court on "Pet Court," a new show debuting this week on truTV (formerly Court TV). Cases, filmed in Tampa, FL, include alleged instances of trespassing cats, attacks by pit bulls and Jack Russell terriers, and chickens terrorized by a slingshot-wielding neighbor. Judge Nazaretian means business and he doesn't have a lot of patience for people who are cruel to critters. "One of the things we learn as a judge [is] to keep emotions in check, but there are times like anyone else, ...