Prison Pup On The Mend

A nine-month-old shepherd mix is mending at the Nevada State Prison in Carson City after inmates raised money for the dog’s surgery.

“Socks One” was among eight puppies who came to the prison in August in a pilot project sponsored by the state prison system and the Nevada Humane Society.

The PUP program, as it´s called, gives some inmates an opportunity to train young dogs to make them more adoptable.

But after the first week, the dog’s inmate trainer, Kenny Hartwell, noticed Socks One had trouble getting out of his crate. A veterinary exam showed Socks One had bone spurs, a genetic disorder that requires corrective surgery.

Hartwell and other inmates in the program pooled their money and came up with all but $100 needed for the surgery. Warden Mike Budge threw in the rest.

After his surgery Tuesday, Socks One is on the mend and back with Hartwell – but not for long. Now, the inmate says, the goal is to find his four-legged friend a good home.