39 pitbulls undergo rehab after being seized in operations in Turkey’s Manisa

MANİSA

A total of 39 pitbulls which were used in criminal activity by their owners have been put into a rehabilitation program in the Aegean province of Manisa, Doğan News Agency reported May 30. 

The dogs will not be put up for adoption, according to officials from the Temporary Animal Nursery, which is under the control of Manisa Municipality.  

The canines were used in some crimes such as raids and extortion before being seized during operations that were staged at different dates. 

Officials at the animal nursery said the dogs are being kept in different cages to prevent them from harming each other. During the rehabilitation process, officials will attempt to heal the dogs’ mental state, noting that they could not be put up for adoption so as to prevent similar violence.

Talip Akbaş, the head of the Sanitary Affairs Directorate of Manisa Municipality, said they had rehabilitated at least 300 animals in their nursery, noting that the treatment process was being managed by professionals.
  
“We have 39 pitbull dogs, which we deem ‘dangerous,’ in the nursery house. We provide service for dogs which were seized for different reasons by the Nature and Natural Park Protection Directorate of the Forestry and Water Affairs Ministry,” he said.

Contrary to popular belief, the animals are not very aggressive, but act according to the training they receive from their owners, Akbaş said.
 
“They tamely continue their lives following their treatment,” he added.