San Francisco To Pay Panhandlers $75/Week - A creative proposal to find homes for needy dogs is facing some strong opposition from an unlikely source, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Beginning in August, the city is set to offer panhandlers up to $75 a week to stop begging and foster problem puppies from city animal shelters until the pups are ready for adoption.The pilot program is called Wonderful Opportunities for Occupants and Fidos, or WOOF. It’s believed to be the first of its kind in the country. The program will pair ten dogs with people living in city housing, allowing the dogs to be socialized. San Francisco panhandling puppies, PETA Bribes San Francisco to End Puppy Panhandling Program,
But PETA claims that the program would put the animals at risk. They issued a statement which read, in part:
“The city is in essence experimenting with the lives of homeless animals and people. Many chronic panhandlers battle with addiction and mental health issues; dogs won’t be able to tell us if they were harshly scolded, randomly screamed at, smacked, scruffed, locked in a bathroom or closet, or otherwise mistreated.”