Sonora, CA – The Tuolumne County District Attorney’s Office is saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Court Support Dog Stewart Jenecke on Friday, April 11, 2025, just one month shy of his 9th birthday. Our Office and District Attorney Jenecke are absolutely devastated by this loss.
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Stewart was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive, incurable, and unfortunately common form of cancer for Golden Retrievers. Due to his age, prior medical issues, and the impact that treatment would have on his quality of life, DA Jenecke was forced to make the devastating decision to allow him to humanely pass.
Stewart came to our Office from Tender Loving Canine’s Prison Training Program at Mule Creek State Prison, where he was trained by a life-term inmate for the first two years of his life. Stewart’s homecoming was sponsored by the Twain Harte Soroptimists, and Stewart was an honorary member of that organization.
From the time he came to us, Stewart was handled by and lived with District Attorney Jenecke. He was the luckiest boy who got to come to work with her every day to do what he loved most - helping people. Through his years with our Office, Stewart served the County of Tuolumne with a fun, silly, empathetic, and often stubborn attitude. He supported countless child victims and their families through their law enforcement forensic interviews at our Child Advocacy Center as well as sitting with them while they endured the terrifying process of testifying in court. He also served as our in-office support dog, loving our employees through our hardest of times. His presence is already sorely missed.
Stewart’s last day with us included a trip to the Office to see all his favorite people. He got lots of love and treats, including a personal sausage pizza from the St. Charles Saloon. He passed softly and without pain with DA Jenecke and family at his side.
We are so incredibly grateful to the staff at Sierra Veterinary Care and Dr. Clinite and for their love, support, and treatment of Stewart over the past several years.
Stewart was the absolute bestest of boys. We are all so lucky to have known and loved him. He will absolutely go down in history as the best employee the Tuolumne County District Attorney’s Office has ever had.
