As outdoor temperatures dipped below freezing Monday night, Ramish Birla knew it would be a rough night for a young dog about to deliver a litter of pups.

Birla said the dog is one of two female pit bulls who grew up around his shop, B

&

B Tires, on Sixth Street. He also knew the couple who had been caring for the dogs in a lot across the street were not likely to be around.

At about 10 p.m. Monday, the manager of his shop heard the cries of eight little puppies. At first, he called police because the mother and pups were locked behind a fence, but Birla said the mother would probably allow him to get close to the pups.

“My cousin crawled in and pulled them out,” Birla said. “They were only 2 days old. That’s why we had to rescue them. They wouldn’t have made it, otherwise.”

Now he has taken the mother and the other pregnant female to his home, just south of town. He said the dogs are blue-nose Staffordshire terriers. He noted the father was in the fenced yard Wednesday.

“They’ll need a good home in a few weeks,” he said, adding that the pups will stay with their mother until they are weaned.

n To reach reporter Bob Brownne, call 830-4227 or e-mail brownne@tracypress.com.