Has anyone ever heard of this scheme? I hadnt until last night, when I watched the Animal Channel.

Basically (for those who dont know) its a scheme where dogs and puppies who are due to be put down through no-body wanting to adopt them, are sent to minimum security prisons for rehabilitation. I think its a fantastic idea. The dogs are well cared for, and retrained. They teach the inmates who have been inside for a long period of time, about responsibility, and caring for a animal, the animal gets looked after and trained.

They have training classes, vet visits and so on. Most of the dogs have had some behavoural problems, but spending all day with the inmates training them, these have been rectified, and the dogs have been rehomed. This was in America btw (only in America eh, lol ;))

Does anyone know if we offer a scheme similar to that mentioned over here? Some of the inmated are now trained dog handlers to a high level, and are teaching the classes there now. I think that this scheme works on many levels. It teaches the inmates to care for the dogs, to love, learn a new skill that may come in usefull after their time speant. For the dogs, they're getting well cared for and trained, not being put down, and eventually finding new homes.

What do you all think of the scheme? :)

[link http://animalplanet.discoveryeurope.com/ontv_celldogs/feature1.shtml][/link Cell Dogs]

Here's the link, sorry :(

Cell Dogs

Does anyone have an opinion about this?

Hi there

I didn't see the programme but it sounds like a really good idea. Last chance for the dogs but also helping to rehabilitate the inmates. I bet they all appreciate a bit of affection in their lives. Well done USA, you get my vote on this one .... for probably one of the first times, lol.

Helen.

Couldn't agree more - seems like a great result all round.  I'm not aware of any similar scheme elsewhere in the world but hopefully the powers that be in both the Prison authorities and animal shelters will be prepared to give it a go.  Teri ;-)

Hi,

I hope it gets the go ahead in other parts of the world also. It benefits all concerned. :)

They've been training dogs in prisons in the states for quite awhile-they train assistance dogs & have had lots of success turning round many prisoners lives. Getting them off drugs giving them a skill to get a job after prison are just two of the benefits

I doubt if anything similar would happen here in the closed prisons & not many of the yobs that are in youth offenders prisons would be interested  Our prisons seem to be good places to learn extra criminal skills :(