Afghanistan War Hero Dog Euthanized by Mistake
Warning animal lovers, you may become enraged and deeply saddened after reading this article.
Target, a lovable and heroic bomb-sniffing stray dog that saved several human lives in war-torn Afghanistan, was mistakenly euthanized in Arizona.
A clerical error is said to have been Target's downfall....
"I just can't believe that something like this would happen to such a good dog," Target's owner, Sgt. Terry Young, told the Arizona Republic.
The owner and dog became best pals on duty in Afghanistan. Several soldiers credit the pup with saving their lives.
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| RIP Sweet Target |
Target and two other dogs frightened off a suicide bomber who was attempting to detonate himself inside a military base. The bomber blew up in the doorway instead of inside the building full of soldiers.
Target was featured on Oprah for his heroism, but that fame could not save him from Arizona's zeal for documentation.
Over the weekend, the female German shepard mix slipped out of her backyard in Arizona. A neighbor found the dog without a tag, put her in his backyard and called the pound.
Young searched for his dog, alerted local papers and TV stations, and finally found her on a Pinal County dogcatcher website that helps owners track lost dogs.
Young was happy that Target was safe and assumed the pound was closed over the weekend. He showed up on Monday to find that Target had been put down.
Ruth Stalter, the county animal-control director, said in a statement, "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 will forever be remembered by her family and the soldiers she protected.
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This deeply saddens me and it is especially disheartening because I know this is not the only time an employee has cut corners at a shelter resulting in the loss of one’s pet. To think she survived Afghanistan only to be put down in the country she protected so selflessly. I think shelters need to step up and tighten up their procedures as well as monitor their employees more closely. It does not sound like she was at the shelter very long and for her to be put down so quickly is just asinine. My condolences go out to Sgt Young and his family for their loss. It sounds like they lost a cherished family member and that is something that cannot be replaced. The employee responsible for putting her down has been fired and I am so glad, but it does not bring Target back. As I said, something needs to be done because this happens too often. R.I.P. Sweet Target………
On a side note, I know it has been forever since I have updated. I have been super busy but I am working on catching up. Kangol is doing well; he is finally slimming down. I cut all wheat from his diet and it is amazing how much he has deflated. It is scary what some foods can do to our pets!! He has always been a big boy but he was never wide and he sure had become wide! I will post up pics soon!
