Inmates caring for unwanted dogs
CBC News
Posted: Aug 2, 2011 6:17 AM NT
Last Updated: Aug 2, 2011 9:42 AM NT
Inmates at a Bishop's Falls correction centre are caring for dogs from the SPCA as part of a new program. (CBC)
Inmates at a correctional facility in Bishop's Falls are caring for unwanted dogs as part of a four-week-old program introduced by the correction centre's assistant superintendent.
Morris Power said the program currently involves four inmates, each of who are responsible for grooming, cleaning, feeding and exercising a dog from the Exploits Valley SPCA.
The program has proven popular with the inmates involved and is also gaining the support of others, he said.
"It takes a while sometimes for people to buy into it, but I think, overall, the general population is starting to see now that this is a positive thing and the inmates that are involved in it — they're hooked and they're loving it," Power told CBC News.
"They're doing a great job," he said.
The staff at the SPCA shelter didn't have the time to give the animals the attention they needed, and the program has had positive effects for the inmates who have nothing but time, said Power.
"I've noticed a change in the inmates that are in the program," he said, adding that the animals have also changed.
"The dogs definitely, the dogs have gone from being hyper to being laid back and relaxed and getting lots of exercise and attention."
The dogs in the program are available for adoption, and Power said he's hoping the dogs get adopted so that inmates can get new animals to work with.
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