In 2015, German shepherd Mississippi Max was living with his owner — pioneering radio icon Charlie Holt — in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. When Holt fell ill, emergency medical personnel showed up to take him to the hospital. But Max seemed confused by what was going on, and as a result, he acted aggressively toward the medical team attending to Holt. Unfortunately, Max was taken into federal custody at a local animal shelter.

There he sat for five long years, even surviving his owner. But, finally, Max has been released, and he has found a new home with veterinarian Michael Privett in South Carolina.

Max’s former owner

After Max was taken into custody, he was placed at the Southern Pines Animal Shelter pending his case in court. The case involved Holt and whether he was given proper notice by the city of Max’s impoundment while he was hospitalized.

This lawsuit extended beyond the passing of Holt, as his family decided to continue to pursue the case. In addition, the shelter filed a lawsuit in 2018 in an attempt to get payment for Max’s medical expenses. The lawsuit asked for $26,000 and named the city and its mayor, Toby Barker.

The court orders the shelter to hold Max

In light of the lawsuits, Southern Pines Animal Shelter was ordered by the courts to keep Max in their custody. Fortunately for Max, who had been at the shelter for five years, the Holt family lawsuit was recently settled out of court.

Privett wanted to give Max a chance at a new life

That is where Privett came into the picture. While Max was still in custody, he offered to take him in if he was ever released and no one else was able to adopt him.

A vet for 35 years, Privett, an animal rescuer, had heard of Max and his story years before. He was willing to take the sometimes-hyper German shepherd on despite his history.

Privett is training Max to be less aggressive

As a part of adopting him, Privett has been training Max to be less aggressive. So far, Max has shown no aggression toward him, according to Privett. Max also gets along with the other animals on Privett’s farm, including dogs, horses, cattle, and goats.

Despite his progress, Privett says his reduced aggression does not extend to other people as of yet.

Max is learning how to be around others

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

In addition to his time with the other animals at the farm, Max also keeps Privett company on rides in his truck or while he gardens.

“Max will teach me more than I will teach him,” Privett told Hattiesburg American. “My goal is, I will never punish Max. I’ll try to guide him and correct him when he starts thinking the wrong thing.”

And while it might have been a long time in coming, Max is finally getting his chance at a normal life free of the shelter.

H/T: The Tribune, Hattiesburg American, Hattiesburg American