The saga of two American bulldogs - which have been with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for four months - is finally moving to a happy conclusion.

While there were fears that the two dogs - Sensie and Rizlah - would have to be put to death if they could not be adopted locally, SPCA chairman Dr. Andrew Madeiros told The Royal Gazette yesterday the dogs were destined for the United States.

“Basically we've received verbal confirmation that the North American Bulldog Rescue Association (NABRA) will take the dogs,” he said.

The dogs - which have some behavioural problems which have hampered efforts to find a local home - were examined by a NABRA assessor on Friday.

Dr. Madeiros said the assessment went well and SPCA should transfer possession of Sensie and Rizlah to a NABRA representative within a couple of days.

Once the dogs arrive in the US, they will again be examined before NABRA decides on a suitable, permanent home, he added.

“It was nice to have them assessed by an outside agency experienced in dealing with these dogs,” he said. “The final assessment will be done in a real environment rather than in shelter conditions. This way it can really be decided what they need.”

Dr. Madeiros said legal ownership of the dogs is being temporarily transferred to an individual representing NABRA on the Island.

That individual, who has asked to remain anonymous, will care for Sensie and Rizlah until they can be safely flown to the US.

The final destination for the dogs is expected to be Philadelphia but the steamy August temperatures are preventing their immediate departure.

“The airlines don't fly animals during the heat of summer,” Dr. Madeiros said. “Each airline has a different policy so I don't know exactly when they will leave the Island.”

The fate of the dogs has been an open sore for the SPCA for the past few weeks as volunteers and vets squared off over their suitability for adoption.

While Dr. Madeiros originally said the temperaments of the dogs would make them difficult to place, SPCA volunteers countered that they were spending more time with the two and seeing progress in their behaviours.

Volunteers were strongly opposed to the suggestion the dogs might be put down.

Yesterday, Dr. Madeiros said he was relieved to see the matter coming to a happy conclusion.

“It has been kind of a saga,” he said. “It was getting to the point of unpleasantness with a lot of accusations flying around - mostly behind the scenes. In that way it is great to have the matter done with and the dogs will be happy.

“I am very confident the US group has the best interests of the dogs at heart.

“The assessor they sent down was very nice and they are certainly experienced with issues like this. I am fully confident they will find the best place for the dogs.”