An attorney challenging the authority of the city's police chief wants the
department's police dog to appear in court as an exhibit, because he says the
dog and the chief have criminal justice degrees from the same online school.

The issue gives "one pause, if not paws, for concern" about what it takes
to get the degrees from the school based in the Virgin Islands, Gene Murray
wrote in a court document filed Monday.

Murray is seeking to have a drug charge against a client dismissed by
arguing that police Chief John McGuire - who is accused of lying on his job
application - was not legally employed and had no authority as an
officer...

Murray said asking that the police dog, Rocko, show up in court at an
evidence hearing is a key to discrediting McGuire, who took part in a traffic
stop and search in October that resulted in drug possession charges against
Clifford Green of Fostoria.

Both McGuire and Rocko, who is listed as John I. Rocko on his diploma, are
graduates of Concordia College and University, according to copies of diplomas
that are part of Murray's motion.

The court filing did not say how the attorney knows that diploma is for the
dog or how Rocko allegedly managed to enroll in the college.

"My client had absolutely nothing to do with any animal getting a degree
from an institution of higher learning," said McGuire's attorney, Dean Henry.
"The whole thing is bizarre."

He said the dog was with the department before McGuire began working
there.