AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va -- Dr. Jennifer Miller saw the pit bull, named Sampson, and knew she would do anything to help him.

“You could just tell he wanted to be a happy-go-lucky dog. He kind of got my attention,” said Dr. Miller.

Sampson somehow ended up in a ditch in Augusta County. Police found him last weekend and took him to Animal Control. Veterinarians said he had wounds consistent with being what is call a “bait dog” for dog fighting.

Veterinary Technician David Kane assisted in surgery on Sampson's jaw on Thursday.

“He's going to leave here and hopefully go to a nice, happy, forever home that will love him for the rest of his life. You can't put a dollar amount on that. That's why we do this job,” said Kane.

Sampson was in chronic pain, so doctors took out some teeth along his jaw line to ease the pain and also make it easier for Sampson to eat.

Doctors also treated a neck wound.

That would not have been possible without good neighbors from the Valley donating money to pay for everything. Virginia Paws for Pits works to find pit bulls homes and helped with Sampson's care.

They said there are misconceptions about the dogs.

“If they're raised right and trained right and loved, they're actually one of the best breeds you can find. Easy to train, lovable,” said Jessica Troop, who own three pit bulls.

Dr. Miller said she was thankful to have worked on Sampson and that good neighbors donated money to pay for it.

“There's so many animals that need help, so I was actually surprised and impressed that people were willing to give donations to have him taken care of,” said Dr. Miller.

Sampson has a foster home.

A WHSV reporter called around the local police stations and animal control, but no department or office had any information about arrests or the former dog owner.

Dog fighting is illegal in Virginia. If you know about dog fighting going on in the Valley, it is best to call animal control or your local police department.

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