Before the state circuit court moved into the new $13 million Dorchester County Courthouse in St. George, no one seemed to mind that Diane Goodstein brought her dogs to work. If a law prohibits it, surely she would have known. She is, after all, a judge.

But there are laws, and there are courtesies. And some key people say it is inconsiderate and inappropriate for the judge to take her Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Boykin spaniel or Airedale terrier into the spiffy new building.

Judge Goodstein has said that if the clerk of court asks her to, she will leave her dogs at home. That is commendable.

However, doing the courteous thing would be even more commendable. If the judge knows her dogs are a problem for other people, she need not wait for a request from the animal loving clerk.

In the courthouse, most would agree that the judge, not her pets, should be top dog.

The (Charleston) Post and Courier