The Sheriff from Hell

There's more to know about Sheriff Joe Arpaio, of Maricopa County in Arizona. The county was spending $18 million a year on stray animals. He offered to take the department over, and the animal shelters are now staffed and operated by his prisoners.

The prisoners feed and care for strays. Every animal is walked twice daily. Prisoners have become experts in animal nutrition and behavior and give classes for anyone who adopts an animal. Sheriff Joe has taken strays off the street, given them to the care of his prisoners, and his budget is under $3 million a year.

The prisoners get the benefit of .28 an hour for working, but most would work for free, just to be out of their cells for the day. He pays the prisoners out of the fees collected for adopted animals.

Spring 2010
Cleaning Digest
INDEX