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

The practise of using ferrets to combat rising rat numbers at Wetherby young offender institution was approved last month. Photograph: Patricia Doyle/Getty Images

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.