“Target,” a dog praised as a hero for saving U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan from a suicide bomber, died Monday after an Animal Care & Control employee accidentally euthanized the wrong dog.
On Friday, Pinal County Animal Care and Control picked up a stray dog in the San Tan Valley area and brought it back to the shelter for the weekend. Monday morning, the dog the employee grabbed was not scheduled to be euthanized.
"I am heartsick over this,” said Animal Care and Control Director Ruth Stalter. “I had to personally deliver the news to the dog's owner and he and his family are understandably distraught. We work hard to get strays reunited with their owners. When it comes to euthanizing an animal, there are some clear-cut procedures to follow. Based on my preliminary investigation, our employee did not follow those procedures."
Target recently appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show . According to the show’s website, Target was one of three dogs that woke up soldiers in Afghanistan when an alleged suicide bomber tried to bring explosives into the barracks. The dogs reportedly bit the intruder as well, according to the site.
“An investigation in underway and we will cooperate fully,” Stalter said. “We will also thoroughly review procedures to ensure that something like this does not happen again.”
The Pinal County employee has been placed on administrative leave.
Link
YouTube video about Target
h/t coffeypot
What a sweet face. She reminds me of our Guenevere.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised if employees are taking shortcuts across the U.S. Shelters are so overwhelmed one local shelter refuses to pick up strays to even euthanize them.
This is horrible. Such sad news. I remember my husband telling me about the dogs at his unit. They hated Afghans, would always go after them with a vengeance. In fact, he even operated on the secret squirrels' dog. They are much loved,
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot for dogs that I can't really describe. I think at time I like them much better than people. They see, to understand you better and aren't judgmental.
ReplyDeleteJust popped over from the Kitchen Dispatch. I'll have to come back and read more and watch Target's video... I have a feeling I'm going to cry just a little over here.
ReplyDeleteAlso, your comment above, I agree.