NATION : Inmates Taken Off Dog Training
The practice of inmates wrestling and fighting with tracking dogs at the end of training exercises was temporarily halted today by the state prison board.
Members of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice unanimously approved the recommendations of a board subcommittee that the “contact” practice be suspended until inmates have more protective gear and policies are in place to ensure that only volunteers are used for the exercise.
Until now, an inmate would be given a head start and go into hiding or climb a tree, and then, when the inmate was located by the dog, he would briefly fight with the animal.
The dog training came under fire after board Vice Chairman Jerry Hodge took two companions on an inmate hunt for sport. Hodge later had jackets made for them that dubbed the trip “The Ultimate Hunt.” He has since apologized for the jackets.
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