Therapy ferrets at the UK's largest children's prison, HMYOI Wetherby, were used to kill rats, leading to a distressing incident for a young inmate and concerns over animal welfare and child safety.
The incident raises serious concerns about the welfare of both children and animals within the prison system, highlighting potential failures in pest control, professional conduct, and the ethical use of therapy animals.
Therapy ferrets at the UK's largest children's prison, HMYOI Wetherby, were reportedly used to kill rats, leading to a distressing incident for a young inmate and sparking concerns over child and animal welfare. The unorthodox pest control method was approved by managers last month following a significant increase in rat numbers within the prison's offices and grounds.
According to a complaint filed by the Prison Officers Association (POA), a boy who cares for the ferrets witnessed a "potentially distressing" attack on a rat. Further complaints suggest the injured rodent was then allegedly stomped to death by a senior staff member in front of other officers. This incident highlights ongoing issues with vermin in detention facilities across England and Wales.
Mark Fairhurst, national chair of the POA, condemned the practice, attributing the situation to failures by private contractors to manage vermin. He called for the immediate abolition of this policy and the return of maintenance contracts in-house. Animal-assisted therapy has been a program at Wetherby for over a decade, aimed at supporting traumatized children.
The young offenders' institute, which houses boys aged 15 to 18, has capacity for 288 but currently holds around 100. The POA complaint detailed concerns regarding animal welfare, health and safety, infection control, and professional conduct, particularly noting the presence of a young individual responsible for the ferrets during the incident. The union also cited potential violations of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984.
The National Ferret Welfare Society stated that while they could not comment on the specifics without more information, they do not condone the killing of any animal by stomping. Rat infestations are increasingly common in UK prisons, with similar issues reported at HMP Manchester and HMP Rochester. A February report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons into Wetherby noted high levels of violence and self-harm.
A spokesperson for the Youth Custody Service described the event as an isolated incident related to maintenance works and confirmed that pest control procedures at HMYOI Wetherby have since been strengthened.