Pit Bull Was Saved From Death Row, Then Went To Prison And Changed An Inmate’s Life For The Better


This Pit bull named Cayenne was rescued just in time from death row. He had behavior issues, so the shelter that he was at planned to euthanize him.


Thankfully, he got a second chance. He ended up in prison, but the story that follows is absolutely amazing. While in prison, he met an inmate named Sammy. When they met, both of their lives were about to change forever, but neither of them could have guessed how much of an impact that they would have on each other.

“One of the things in jail, is that there isn’t a lot of touching in jail,” said Warden Bryant, deputy, Philadelphia Dept. of Prisons. “I think the dogs provide contact. The guys can get on the floor. They can roll around with the dog. They can express emotions with the dog that they might not be able to express in jail.”


The inmates work with New Leash On Life USA to train these shelter dogs who would have otherwise been euthanized. Working with the dogs not only keeps the inmates busy but it also teaches them responsibility and compassion.

After Sammy helped train Cayenne, he was adopted! And better yet, Sammy is about to start his new life too. He got the wonderful news that he was able to go home. Sammy says this program has taught him how to be a man and how to accept responsibility, along with many other characteristics and lessons that Sammy will be able to use back in the real world.

More on New Leash on Life USA from their website: “New Leash on Life USA is a Pennsylvania 501(c) (3) non-profit, prison-dog training program, dedicated to improving the life of inmates and saving the lives of dogs.

New Leash On Life USA is one of the country’s most unique prison-dog training programs. We save the lives of at-risk shelter dogs by training prison inmates to care for, and socialize them to enhance their adoptability. Inmates attend workshops on life skills and job readiness, and many receive opportunities for paid internships in the animal care field when they are paroled.

Previously “unadoptable” shelter dogs, many at the brink of death, now find loving forever homes. Additionally, inmates who have been in and out of prison most of their adulthood now have a skill they can use to gain productive employment.”

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