Sit! The Story of Pep the Dog, Sentenced to Life on Framed Charges (6 photos)
Pennsylvania's state penitentiary is best known as the prison where legendary gangster Al Capone served his time. But it is also famous for another reason: it became the unlikely home of a dog named Pep.
On August 24, 1924, Pep, a black Labrador, was sentenced to life without parole. According to a story widely circulated in the press at the time, he was convicted of brutally killing the beloved cat of Cornelia Pinchot, wife of Pennsylvania Governor Gifford Pinchot. Even though Pep was the family's own pet, the governor allegedly pulled strings to lock the dog behind bars. They even snapped a real mugshot of him and assigned him inmate number C-2559.
It's a wild story—especially considering Pep never actually killed any cat... 
Pep originally joined the Pinchot family as a tiny puppy. A relative who worked as a breeder gifted the Labrador to the politician after he was elected governor. At first, Pep was adored, but as he grew bigger, he developed an obsession with chewing up the furniture. No amount of training could break the habit. After the dog's teeth ruined countless cushions, his owners decided they couldn't keep him—though they refused to put him down. 
During an official trip to Maine, Pinchot found a solution. He learned that some correctional facilities deliberately brought in dogs to help boost inmate morale. The governor pitched the idea to the warden of the Pennsylvania prison, who agreed to take Pep in. That's how Pep ended up behind bars. The famous mugshot? Just a good-natured joke. 
Governor Gifford Pinchot and one of the cell blocks at the Pennsylvania penitentiary
So how did the rumor start that Pep was a cold-blooded criminal? As it turns out, a reporter for a local newspaper made the whole thing up. Looking for a sensational story to hook readers, he pressed the governor's son for details, and together they fabricated the tall tale. 
The penitentiary closed in 1971 and is now a popular tourist attraction. Visitors flock there mostly to see Al Capone’s cell. Today, they can also spot a plaque commemorating "Inmate Pep," who was eventually buried right on the prison grounds. 
Al Capone's cell 
Plaque commemorating Pep
