By Corrections1 Staff
ALBION, N.Y. — A female inmate at a New York correctional facility was bitten by a dog after she attempted to break up a fight between it and another dog, exposing a CO to blood in the process.
The Daily News reports that the canine bit the Albion County Correctional Facility inmate on the hand, forcing her to be taken to a nearby hospital to receive six stitches . The CO who was exposed to blood was treated and remained on-duty.
The prison recently launched a program that had inmates volunteer to help shelter dogs who have poor socialization skills. A snow fence was used to contain the dogs before the incident.
Prison employees were able to contain both animals and remove them from the facility. They were returned to the shelter.
“My immediate concern is that this program does not have the necessary resources and training to be effective and safe for our staff and inmates,” Western Region Vice President Joe Miano of New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association said. “These are dogs, who are unfortunately aggressive and with poor socialization, which makes them very dangerous for inmates and staff who are not trained to handle canines.”