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Starting Aug. 1, dogs from local shelters will be available to formerly homeless people living in city-funded SROS or other housing, the newspaper reported. In order to receive a dog, and the cash, the would-be owner must "not [be] severely mentally ill," not be a hoarder, not have a history of violence, and be "seeking treatment if they have addictions," the newspaper reported.
They must also swear not to panhandle. "If they're caught begging with the puppy, the animal will be taken back to the shelter," the newspaper reported.
Dogs will be issued to single-room occupancy hotel residents who can prove that they're capable of providing care, according to the San Francisco Chronicle -- and with the dogs, a $50 to $75 weekly stipend to cover dog food and other canine necessities, the newspaper reported.
The city is taking this tact because there's "anecdotal evidence to suggest the majority of panhandlers are housed, but supplement their income through begging or just don't have anything else to occupy their time," the newspaper reported.
I can see this working for shut-ins or people suffering from depression, but not straight up "I'm a bum" homeless people. Addicts, even in treatment, shouldn't have a pet. If you are living for free in housing for the poor you shouldn't have a pet. Too many things could go wrong. And who is paying the stipend, for how long, what ways are they tracking the use of the money, how are they even sure the owner still has the dog? How do you get a job if you have an animal that needs walking 6-7 times a day? It can be an excuse to NOT get one. So many questions.
$75 a week for dog food ? What the heck is that dog eating ?
Porterhouse?
Having said that I suspect Fido is going on an extreme diet, this is not a good idea at all.
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San Francisco: Stop panhandling, and we'll give you a puppy
