Concerns over therapy ferrets used to kill rats at UK’s largest children’s prison

Prison officers' union calls for immediate end to practice at HMYOI Wetherby over fears for child and animal welfare

Pet ferrets kept as therapy animals at the UK's largest children's prison have been co-opted by managers to kill rats, resulting in a bloody incident and concerns over child and animal welfare.

The unorthodox method of vermin control was waved through last month at HMYOI Wetherby in West Yorkshire following a surge in rat numbers in prison offices and grounds.