Pet ferrets kept as therapy animals at the UK’s largest children’s prison have been co-opted by managers to kill rats, resulting in a bloody incident and concerns over child and animal welfare.
Sensible use of resources, give them a medal!
The unorthodox method of vermin control was waved through last month at HMYOI Wetherby in West Yorkshire following a surge in rat numbers in prison offices and grounds.
According to a union complaint seen by the Guardian, the decision resulted in a boy who looks after ferrets witnessing an “inappropriate and potentially distressing” savaging of a screaming rat.Another complaint suggests the gored (!) rodent was then “stomped to death” by a senior staff member in front of prison officers.
I wonder what the witness had done to be incarcerated, probably something a lot worse, so I am not convinced he’s a shrinking violet around violent acts.
The incident once again highlights the vermin-ridden conditions in which children and adults are detained within the prison estate across England and Wales.
Permission to use ferrets to hunt rats was given by a named member of the senior management team, the HSE complaint said.
Prison Service sources blamed the influx of rats at Wetherby on building work disturbing a rats’ nest. A Youth Custody Service spokesperson said: “This was an isolated incident relating to maintenance works. HMYOI Wetherby has since strengthened its pest control procedures to keep vermin out.”
So long as it similarly strengthens its security to keep vermin IN too, I could care less.
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