Several pit bulls seized from an alleged dog fighting ring near Tilbury are said to be slowly adjusting to normal life.
Thirteen of the 18 are at the "Dogs Playing For Life" rescue and training facility in Florida and its founder and CEO, Aimee Sadler, says it's going to take a while for them to get back to being normal and happy.
Sadler says the first group arrived two weeks ago while the second group arrived a few days ago and assessments are underway to determine which dogs can get along with each other.
Sadler admits it's going to be a challenge to get all the dogs trained to be adopted because some are ready and willing, while others are not yet because they're fearful.
"Some that were super scared and timid and looked like everything was wondrous and new and scary for them and some that were bouncing off the walls and bonkers with tons of energy and wanted to be out and bouncing around," says Sadler.
Sadler says the remaining five pit bulls should be arriving soon and that her commitment to them is six months, but that could change depending on their progress.
If the pit bulls aren't ready for adoption, Sadler says a sanctuary is an option. She adds she is glad the dogs are getting a second chance and hopes the court system changes so that dogs aren’t held as evidence, because it only hurts them.
Sadler says the pit bulls are slowly coming out of their shells.
"They're doing beautifully in the kennels and they have luxury suites compared with how they were staying while they were waiting for the courts to decide what to do. I'm so psyched they're calm and quite in the kennels and they're keeping them really clean, which is great. They're getting out three to four times a day minimum," Sadler says.
Sadler says the dogs are getting more confident each day.
"They're going on long leash walks around the property with each other. We have beautiful and big yards for them to run around in. They've been doing individual training sessions, learning how to go to place and walking politely on leash, learning how to lay down and basic obedience commands and they're all responding," says Sadler.