Hero dog from Afghanistan mistakenly killed

[sabra]

Source: MSNBC

'Target' euthanized at Arizona shelter before owner could claim her

FLORENCE, Arizona — A dog named Target that lived through explosions in war-torn Afghanistan couldn't survive a brief stay at an Arizona animal shelter.

The shepherd mix was featured on "The "Oprah Winfrey Show" and local media for her heroics in Afghanistan, got loose from her owners on Friday and was put down on Monday after spending the weekend in a county shelter.

An unidentified employee at the Pinal County facility was placed on administrative leave after euthanizing the female shepherd mix by mistake, county Animal Care and Control officials said.

"I'm heartsick over this," Ruth Stalter, the county animal control director, said in a written statement. "I had to personally deliver the news to the dog's owner and he and his family are understandably distraught."

Stalter said that the shelter works hard to reunite lost pets with their owners and that an investigation had been launched to determine how the mistake was made.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40214260/ns/health-pet_health/

[idrahaje]

1. Everyone's shocked at the moment

Really have no words.

[smiley]

2. That's more than sad.

My dog spent the night in a shelter a few weeks ago. It broke my heart to have to see him in there. My heart goes out to Target's family. May he rest in peace.

[closeupready]

3. As a 4-year-old child, my grandparents had a big dog who loved playing with us kids.

And we loved her back.

She was abducted suddenly one day, and I have never forgotten that loss.

So this story makes me so sad for that boy. :(

[AlienGirl]

17. Sounds like the work of a "buncher"...big dogs with deep chests and big hearts go for higher prices

[herbm]

4. This is so stupid it defies response. Another forgotten vet. At least there's some 'sunshine' on

this case.

[Seedersandleechers]

5. Sloppy work from the vet clinic

Each animal should have been tagged immediately. :cry:

[Roy Rolling]

6. This is how

they balance the budget in some places, by being so stupid that they kill an animal rather than housing it for a few days until its owner claims it. Idiotic policies like this are not only stupid, they are cruel and dangerous. Minimize it all you want, the "cut budgets at any cost" political philosophy that has invaded the U.S. is a danger to everyone and the death of prosperous America.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sallyseven]

8. Not only animals and people but brains too.

I wouldn't live out there for any amount of money.

[MicaelS]

11. That type of state or regional libel is unacceptable

Every place has both good and bad people in it.

[Tansy_Gold]

9. Y'know, I'm really sick of this

There are one helluva lot of very good people in Arizona. A lot of Dems, too, who are trying our damnedest to counter this kind of broad-brush nonsense.

Like my friend Kerri who rescues dog after dog after dog after dog. Who personally spent an almost non-stop 48 hours out in the desert last year looking for a lost dog who belongs to another friend with MS, a dog who had originally been rescued after being abandoned on a golf course.

You have no idea what we liberals go through out here, especially in Pinal County where we have the likes of "Afghan hero vet" (and notorious over-spender) Bryan Martyn as our county supervisor and the repulsive Paul Babeu as sheriff. It's a struggle, and sometimes a losing one, but it sure isn't made any easier by the rude, cruel, and insensitive remarks too often posted on DU.

Kerri told me about this incident this morning and I told her I didn't even want to hear about it because I'll lose sleep over it. I have four dogs myself, all rescues of one type or another, and I love 'em dearly. I've got friends, some of 'em military veterans, some of staunch Dems, some of 'em disgusting teabaggers, who would and indeed have gone out of their way to rescue or care for or in some way make life easier/better for animals and humans.

What happened is horrible, beyond horrible, and there is no way to undo it. No one can bring that dog back now, not ever. And people are going to have to live with that knowledge for the rest of their lives.

But if you really would like to see Arizona move into a better frame of mind, comments like yours really do not help.

Or maybe you just don't care.

Tansy Gold, in Pinal County, Arizona

[kiranon]

12. Please note - said in "short supply" not that everyone is that way.

Have relatives in Arizona - all teabaggers and people who want to deny health care to everyone but themselves. There are many good people everywhere but unfortunately at this time in history, Arizona's majority is not on the side of the compassionate. Thank you for fighting the good fight. It is a difficult one and I agree it is much easier to be a Democrat in California.

[UpInArms]

15. there will always be those who are insensitive

and unkind - either with their own words or stupidity - you should not be caught up in such a broadbrush, dear TG

:grouphug:

and there are many more good people in the world and in your state -

sometimes life mimics a septic tank - all the really big turds float to the top

[Tansy_Gold]

16. First Demeter, and now you

YOU OWE ME A KEYBOARD!

:spray:

and

:hug: back atcha

[iamtechus]

10. Chips and tags!

The article say that Target had neither chip nor tag. Anyone who seriously wants to protect their pet - especially a shepherd or retriever that likes to roam -- should have them chipped and registered with Home again: http://homeagain.com

[alstephenson]

13. That's horrible. Just horrible.

Poor Target - may she RIP.

[bitchkitty]

14. This is an awful thing.

But thousands and thousands of healthy animals are killed in shelters each year. They deserve as much attention as this animal is getting - they are all heroes in my book.

Donate to an animal shelter in Target's name, or maybe even make room in your heart and your home to adopt a homeless pet. That's the best way to mourn her - that and stop the fucking war already.