Resident Helps Save Two Pit Bulls

Two pit bulls are becoming service dogs after being nearly euthanized for lack of homes.

Westborough resident Erica Gordon Bailey said she is collecting dog supply donations to help Red Hot Rescue and Pit Bulls for PTSD, the two rescues that have helped the two dogs.

Dog food, used blankets and other supplies may be left in front of the garage at Bailey's home, 24 Hundreds Road, by Sept. 1, Bailey said.

Financial donations also may be made, without a deadline, through the rescues' websites, she said.

The two six-year-old Pit Bulls had lived with a friend of Bailey's in Marlborough since they were puppies, she said.

"Unforeseen circumstances" required the family to give the dogs up, she said.

"After months of being unsuccessful, the owner was faced with bringing them to a shelter," Bailey said.

"The no-kill shelters in Massachusetts either had no room or they were at their max for this breed.

"I found out on a Thursday that Saturday was deemed the day they would go to the shelter. The shelter felt the chances of them getting adopted before the euthanization deadline were slim because they were an owner surrender, adult dogs at age six, and because of their breed."

Bailey said that "my family and I have always been animal lovers and wanted to help."

She and Lindsay at "Lilly The Hero Pit Bull" called around before ultimately finding the two rescues that are helping the dogs.

"The dogs had an evaluation and passed all temperament testing with flying colors," Bailey said.

"With the help of this evaluation it was was determined with training they would make good service dogs for people with disabilities such as PTSD and children with autism."