US: Phoenix prison inmates care for abused animals

Inmate Kristina Hazelett, 35, plays with a dog in a cell at the MCSO Animal Safe Haven (MASH) Unit in a former jail that has become a shelter for abused and neglected animals seized in Maricopa County Sheriff's Office investigations, in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. (Lucy Nicholson /REUTERS Photo)

Updated on: May 16, 2017 9:12 PM IST

News

Share via

• 
• 
• 
• 

Copy link

• 

1/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on May 16, 2017 9:12 PM

Inmate Kristina Hazelett, 35, plays with a dog in a cell at the MCSO Animal Safe Haven (MASH) Unit in a former jail that has become a shelter for abused and neglected animals seized in Maricopa County Sheriff's Office investigations, in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. (Lucy Nicholson /REUTERS Photo)

2/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on May 16, 2017 9:12 PM

Inmates interact with a dog at the jail, MASH said it is the only agency in the United States that investigates animal cruelty complaints, rescues the animals, houses and cares for them and arranges adoptions. (REUTERS Photo)

3/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on May 16, 2017 9:12 PM

The program is designed to help comfort and train mistreated and neglected animals rescued from deplorable conditions, but the rehabilitation goes much further than helping the abused animals. (REUTERS)

4/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on May 16, 2017 9:12 PM

Two puppies look out through a cell door at the MCSO Animal Safe Haven. Since opening in 2000, the program has seen thousands of animals, mainly dogs, come through and get adopted . (REUTERS)

5/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on May 16, 2017 9:12 PM

Tiger, a pit bull terrier rescued from a dog fighting ring, became the beloved mascot for MASH during his nearly nine-year stay, before leaving to live with a family. (REUTERS)

6/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on May 16, 2017 9:12 PM

Aubrey Herrera, pictured, a 31-year-old woman serving time for a probation violation for theft and drug charges, said that caring for the dogs is the highlight of each day, Patience is what she said the program has taught her. (REUTERS)

7/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on May 16, 2017 9:12 PM

An inmate walks a dog back into its cell, some of the hundreds of former inmates who took part in the program have gone on to jobs in the pet industry. Two are studying to become veterinarian technicians. (REUTERS)

8/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on May 16, 2017 9:12 PM

Herrera, pictured, with a dog and an officer, they work with detention officers and animal care technicians to acquire the training skills necessary to get the dogs ready for adoption.

9/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on May 16, 2017 9:12 PM

Female inmates are searched at the MCSO Animal Safe Haven (MASH) Unit. Six days a week the women in the program are transported to the animal shelter. (REUTERS)

10/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on May 16, 2017 9:12 PM

Pictures of rescued dogs hang on a wall at the MCSO Animal Safe Haven (MASH) Unit . Some adorned with dog portraits and animal murals, have been renamed Bow Wow Way, Purr Lane, 2nd Chance and Ruff Road. (REUTERS)

11/11

View Photos in a new improved layout

Updated on May 16, 2017 9:12 PM

Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Detention Officer Leanne Weeks, 32, runs a dog back to the MCSO Animal Safe Haven (MASH) Unit. (REUTERS)