VIDEO:The Rehabilitation Process for the Rescued Pit Bulls

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – One local vet thinks most of the dogs seized from a suspected dog-fighting scene in Monroe County can have a chance at a happy ending, but it won’t be an easy journey.

The first step is gaining the dogs’ trust back.

That process starts this week with a vet in Hamilton.

Today, we talked to another vet who is also experienced in working these type of cases.

The beginning of new life is underway for the dogs who have only known how to fight to survive.

“With us, you know, we think a dog should be fed every day, should be fed and watered every day, should be taken to a vet and make sure it’s had all its shots, rabies, and these different things. I don’t know whether these dogs have had all of that stuff. They will get those shots and things while we have them to try and adopt them out and put them in the hands of good people,” says Monroe County Cecil Cantrell.

The process is slow and can’t be rushed, and gaining their trust back and introducing them to TLC are key.

“I kind of do a small evaluation, slowly. We give treats, we bring them in the examine room, it’s only me and the owner and the dog. We go sit on the floor with the dog. We don’t put the dog on a table and we don’t tower over the dog. We try to get on the same level and let them know we’re good, and we’re not going to hurt them like it’s been hurt in the past,” says Emerson Animal Hospital Dr. Karen Emerson.

Because of the abuse they suffered, the vet will have to work them up to healing their scars and working on their health.

“We may not do the blood test the first day. We may go in and do general vaccinations and then, we will build up to draw blood for the blood test. Now some of the dogs may not have a problem getting blood, as long as they’re eating treats, but we don’t push our limits on the first visit. If you do, you’re going to create a very negative situation.”

Emerson says dealing with abused dogs is similar to dealing with abused children because you have to make sure they know they’re not going to get hurt anymore.

“We have to show them that they are safe. We have to give them a safe zone, where we bring them out, we maybe get a foster family, or they go to an area that’s built for something like this to evaluate the dogs, to make sure that they’re going to be okay with human contact and you’d be shocked; nine times out of ten they are wonderful with human contact because they are starved for human contact.”

Once the health evaluations take place, the next step is finding them a forever home and organizations and foster families are a part of making that happen.

“He may never be able to be in a multi-pet home. He may never be able to have a brother or sister dog because of what he’s been through and they can have flashbacks just like people, so that may be one of the recommendations. He’s got to go to a single dog home and he’s got to have the type of barriers where if he does go outside, he can’t just roam off.”

Emerson also says many of the pit bulls may not be able to live in a home with small children and must be in an anxiety free place.