While the state governor visits the precinct, his wifes' prize Lhasa Apso is stolen, and unfortunately Chief Daniels orders a number of men & resources to commit to recovering the purloined pooch. As if Frank doesn't have enough on his plate. During this commotion (during which various characters bring dogs to the precinct), Frank once again receives frantic news from Fay: she's been jailed for contempt of court while arguing a traffic ticket. Eddie Gregg (Charles Levin) hears lots of talk at his unsavory occupation, and is interested in becoming a snitch for Belker. But the most compelling facet to this worthy episode is the tale of over-worked and stressed-out coroner Wally Nydorf (guest star Pat Corley, 'Murphy Brown'), and his inability to get a very important autopsy report into the hands of Neal & J. D.
Another typically excellent script points out just how ridiculous things can get sometimes for those in law enforcement. At the end of the episode, a bunch of sardonic newscasters can't refrain from making bad dog-related jokes in relation to that whole affair. And the main plot thread about Nydorf makes for some great television, as it was impossible for this viewer not to take some pity on the guy; here he is, 35 years into his job, and by this point he's just getting overwhelmed with the demands of the occupation and generally incompetent staff. This recurring role was one of the late Corley's finest hours.
A typically strong roster of guest stars (Helen Shaver, Donnelly Rhodes, Franklyn Seales, Kenneth Kimmins, Lynne Moody, Ken Foree, etc.) gives weight to the story; future regular Lisa Sutton (playing officer Robin Tataglia) made her first series appearance here. Just to show you how even the subplots on the series have some impact; there's an interesting bit of business when Seales ("The Onion Field", "Southern Comfort") plays a cop who doesn't seem to want to get involved while his partner tussles with a perp.
'A Hair of the Dog' wraps up in an appealing way, combining another romantic interlude with Frank & Joyce with some light humor in the form of all those dog-related jokes.
Eight out of 10.