Therapy ferrets used to kill rats at UK’s largest children’s prison
Summary
Managers at the UK’s largest children’s prison, HMYOI Wetherby, allowed pet ferrets used for therapy to hunt and kill rats because of a rat problem. This led to concerns about the safety and well-being of both children and animals after a rat was killed in a violent way that upset those who witnessed it.Key Facts
- HMYOI Wetherby is the UK’s largest children’s prison, holding boys aged 15 to 18.
- Ferrets had been used for therapy to help traumatised children for over ten years.
- Due to a rise in rats in prison offices and grounds, managers allowed ferrets to be used for pest control.
- A visible incident involved a ferret killing a rat in a staff office, witnessed by a boy who cares for the ferrets.
- After the ferret caught the rat, a staff member reportedly stomped on the rat to kill it.
- Prison officers’ union called for the policy to be ended, noting health, safety, and animal welfare concerns.
- The complaints highlighted risks of infection, trauma for children, and breaches of animal welfare and workplace safety laws.
- The National Ferret Welfare Society said ferret hunting should be done only by experienced adults in controlled ways and condemned stamping animals to death.
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