Sheriff Opens Jail Cells for Pets

[hyphenate]

Sheriff Opens Jail Cells for Pets

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio plans to open of one of his jails to house dogs and cats who may otherwise face euthanasia because local agencies are apparently full to capacity with unwanted animals.

The new jail cells have been cleaned and prepared by Sheriff's inmates all for the arrival on Wednesday, June 8, of dogs and cats from several valley rescue groups. Between 250 and 300 animals can be housed in the newly opened jail cells at the Sheriff's First Avenue Jail in downtown Phoenix.

Wal-Mart has stepped up to the plate by donating plenty of food for the incoming pet population.

While the program's aim to is reduce the number of healthy dogs and cats being put to death because of an unusually high over population problem, the Sheriff emphasizes that caring for the animals is also an inmate training program. Inmates in Sheriff Arpaio's jail system have been involved in animal training programs since 2000 when Arpaio emptied the air conditioned First Avenue Jail of inmates and replaced them with dogs and cats taken by deputies as evidence in animal cruelty and neglect cases.

Arpaio started an animal cruelty investigations unit in 2001 that arrests and jails animal abusers, a move that has garnered some criticism in law enforcement circles.

http://www.kpho.com/Global/story.asp?S=3450702&nav=23Kuap9o

[philosophie_en_rose]

1. This is a great idea.

Unconditional love from an animal (and the responsibility of taking care of a pet) is an incentive for positive behavior and it saves the lives of animals as well.

[MrScorpio]

2. I guess that this means that Arpaio isn't a complete asshole

More power to him

[enigmatic]

4. No, he's a complete asshole

I lived in Phoenix for most of the 90's; knowing him, this is a PR damage control for the latest monies the Department has to deal out to families of the inmates his deputies have beaten or killed..

[antigone382]

3. How sweet!

I think it's great that he's having the inmates help train and take care of the animals; animals can be very therapeutic, and the skills those inmates will develop taking care of those animals could be very helpful to some of them. And a big :thumbsdown: on other cops downing his efforts:

"Arpaio started an animal cruelty investigations unit in 2001 that arrests and jails animal abusers, a move that has garnered some criticism in law enforcement circles."

Yeah, I suppose he should be saving up space for marijuana-using cancer patients, or something. :eyes: