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Panhandlers paired with pound puppies in California

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    Claudia Cowan reports from San Francisco

  • Duration 2:25
  • Date

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One major city sparking debate with a plan to pair -- puppies with panhandlers.

Hoping to provide loving companions.

All round and while that idea.

It's just nice to some others worry of those -- may end up in bigger trouble then before Claudia Cali is live -- -- chances yeah.

More on this -- cloning -- is San Francisco giving dogs to homeless people.

-- -- and that's really important to keep in mind in all of this these dogs are only going to go to people living in city run shelters and they have to agree to stop panhandling.

Those who qualify get paid up to 75 dollars a week so for some that could mean a pay cut to care for a troubled -- until it can be adopted.

And that will hopefully cut down on the euthanasia rate down at the pound.

-- animal rights groups say it's a dumb and dangerous idea handing vulnerable puppies over to people who are struggling themselves.

Some of -- may have.

Emotional difficulties they may even have mental problems and may be recidivism to alcohol and drug use.

To simply stick them -- a puppy who has problems of his -- it's a terrible terrible risk.

No tax dollars involved in any.

That's a local dog lover is privately funding this 101000 dollar effort.

Critics have offered to put -- that same amount to make the whole thing animal free that City Hall wants to give it a shot and a pilot program begins this week.

Father -- -- seen homeless people here on the street in New York where I've gone and gotten dog -- And taking it back because their pets -- an -- -- -- looks like it's.

I'd definitely not being fed our officials really hoping that it will stop panhandlers.

Well -- -- hoping it stops some panhandlers specifically formerly homeless people who've undergone job training.

And you are really out there begging to arson expert in com.

You can push people right but what are you gonna push him a blocker tool -- it's not really solving it.

So maybe we have to.

Take some risks.

We have to let people make fun of us a little bit and you just have to kind of stand your ground and -- now we're gonna try some different.

Supporters like that and -- they're also -- the program improves the city's image.

A quarter of all visitors to San Francisco say their biggest complaint is encountering homeless people and panhandlers.

Write about it kind thank you very much we appreciate it.

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