Afghanistan War Hero Dog Euthanized by Mistake

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.

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!

From My Google Alerts- October 13, 2010

In Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, an 11-year-old girl was attacked by her neighbor’s dog when she was feeding it. The dog’s breed or type is not mentioned in the article.

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A Brevard County Sheriff’s deputy was forced to shoot and kill a pit bull that charged him in a Port St. John neighborhood. The dog, Hoss, died because of his injuries. Two other pit bulls were at the scene and were returned to the owner without citations.
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In New York, a pit bull, which had eaten a skunk, was euthanized after exhibiting signs of rabies. The Oneida County Health Department tells CNY Central that on September 13 a dog living in Rome killed a skunk. The department says that the dog had ‘consumed’ so much of the skunk that there was not enough left to test for rabies. The dog’s owner was then ordered to quarantine the pet for six month to see if it had contracted the disease. The department says that last week the dog began drooling excessively, refusing food and water, and pacing around the cage. The animal was taken to the Rome Humane Society and euthanized on Saturday.
This is why you VACCINATE your pets people!!!

From My Google Alerts- Spetember 16, 2010

A deputy serving a felony arrest warrant was attacked  by two pit bulls; he shot both of them, killing one of the dogs. Officials said Orange County Sheriff's Office Gang Unit agents were serving a felony warrant at a home on 6th Street in Bithlo at about 4 p.m. when the dogs attacked.

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The West Valley City Animal Shelter is offering owners of pit bull terriers or pit mixes a free spay or neuter service in October. Shelter manager Karen Bird says they are focusing on pit bulls because of the area’s large population of the breed. The West Valley shelter will provide 100 free sterilizations for pit bulls and mixes October 11 through 16. Interested dog owners must register in person at the shelter prior to those dates. The West Valley Animal Shelter is located at 4522 West 3500 south and is open Monday through Friday 10 am to 6 pm. The phone number is (801) 365-5800. This is great; don’'’’t get me wrong, but why not do this for every dog to cut down on the stray population in general? Oh, and KCPW, I was wondering, was that picture of a snarling pit bull really necessary?
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In Jonesboro, Arkansas, a Chihuahua was attacked and killed by a pit bull and as a result, it will be euthanized. Such ridiculousness; I cannot stand when a dog is put down for dog aggression. Even another resident thinks that euthanizing the dog is unnecessary. Ginger Dunavant thinks it's an unfortunate situation for both dog owners, but she adds euthanizing the Pit Bull is a little severe. She adds, "I feel for the owner of the Pit Bull, I feel for the Pit Bull, because he probably doesn't realize what he did.”””’’’’’’" Here is an idea: PUNISH THE IRRESPONSIBLE OWNER!
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Queensland has lifted its breed ban restrictions stating that the American Staffordshire is a separate breed from the restricted pit bull terrier.

From My Google Alerts- September 14, 2010

A bulldog has mauled a five-year-old girl southwest of Brisbane. The dog is also described as a bullmastiff cross and it was not registered. She was bitten on her face and upper arm; her lip was torn as well in the incident. The family wants the dog euthanized.
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The owner of the two pit bulls that killed a Mountain Ranch man last month will be arraigned in court today on felony charges of knowingly having a mischievous animal, letting it be at large or keeping it without ordinary care, resulting in the death of a human being. Sheryl Sellers had left her two pit bulls in a fenced yard Aug. 22 when they escaped, attacked, and killed Jerry Yates, 69, while he was working on his property. Information has since surfaced chronicling a long history of aggressive and problematic dogs owned by Sellers. This story is rather disturbing as this woman was a documented irresponsible owner since 2005; the county failed to do anything about her roaming pit bulls for six years. That is iunacceptable.
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Jasmine Bailey, 19, was sentenced to jail for a probation violation after her three pit bulls attacked six-year-old Tyah Norris. Both Bailey and her boyfriend, Brian Nace, 35, were charged with keeping a dangerous animal that caused serious injury, a felony punishable by a maximum of four years in prison, 500 hours of community service, and a $2,000 fine. Pictures taken of her face after the attack are gruesome. The first police officer to come to her aid earlier testified he could not distinguish any of her facial features. The judge sentenced her to jail for being charged with a new felony while on probation and sentenced her to 333 days in jail for violating her probation. The judge said he gave Bailey the harshest possible jail sentence because she was charged with a new felony, and there was evidence presented or testimony given at a hearing Tuesday that she had been drinking. Drinking alcohol is not allowed while on probation.
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The Denver City Council on Monday delayed a vote on whether to create an exemption to the city's pit-bull-terrier ban that would allow the disabled to use the dogs as service animals. Council members sent the issue back to committee for further discussion, saying they feared the exemption would weaken the city's ban and make it virtually impossible to enforce. The issue is scheduled to come back before the full council Oct. 25 for a vote.

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In Marion, Ohio, a 17-month-old child was bitten by a Black Lab; apparently, the dog runs lose frequently. The Health Department is seeking information about the dog. Anyone with information about the dog or its owner is asked to call the health department at 740-387-2875 or the dog warden at 740-386-6150. Interesting, but not surprising, that the title of the article says “Dog Bite Child, Owner Sought.” I am sure if the dog had been a pit bull the title would have been very nasty.

Dog destroyed after attack on other canine; Dog Allegedly Attacks 10 yo Boy, Cop Kills It

A pit bull mixed breed was destroyed by county authorities after it attacked a small Yorkshire terrier just before the Fourth of July parade Sunday in Sheridan. The owners relinquished their rights because they felt the dog was a danger. Seemingly, the dog was tied to an outside restraint. Owner irresponsibility played a  big role in this incident for having the dog restrained outside without a fence; additionally, they were careless in that the dog was outside unsupervised. If one lives near a parade route he or she should have taken the necessary steps in making sure their dog was inside or unable to get loose, especially after attacking another dog previously. I’d also like to know what exactly said dog is mixed with since they are so sure it is a pit bull mix.

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A 10-year-old boy playing with a friend in the back yard of an Orange County home was attacked by a pit bull, which was shot and killed by a deputy. The child wasn't hurt badly but the dog was killed because it supposedly acted aggressively while waiting for AC to arrive. The dog was 10 years old but the owner only had him for 6 months. According to comments, the dog was a rescue dog and his death was unnecessary. Here  are some reader comments:

I know the person who owned him all this is BSSS first of all the dog didnt attack the child the kids were playing with it and provoked it!! second of all the cop was a a little power hungry short man who was scared of the dog and wanted to finallyyyy use his gun. The cop was scared of dogs so he killed it thats all. The dog is not a mean dog he is playful and was just probably approaching the cop. NOT AGGRESSIVLY. The dog was rescued by my friend thats why he was old and only had him for that time. The victim here is the dog. The boys dad was a little baby and not man enough himself to deal with the situation. IT WAS A SCRATCH FROM HIS PAW NOT AN ATTACK. the dog scratched the kid after he provoked it.  

Pit bull bites are the only ones who make the headlines. Ask for a report of the Orange County Animal Control bite stats for THIS ONE WEEK, and you'll see 13 other breeds responsible for biting (as bad if not worse as this case). The only reason THIS one made the news is because the word "pit bull" makes people click on the link. If you look at real statistics, you'll see reality and that is ANY dog of ANY breed can and will bite. THEY ARE DOGS. Owners' responsibility, end of story.

And my favorite… this one takes the cake

Pitt bulls are only owned by two types of people, first there are the Michael Vick ones that think it's cool to raise the biggest, baddest, meanest dog and fight it for money or kicks. Then there are the ones who have very little self-esteem so they make up for it by looking cool or bad walking down the street with one. Breeding should be outlawed on Pits and all the others rounded up and destroyed. I had a 16-week-old female black lab that was just lying in my front yard chewing a rawhide ten feet from me while I was washing my car when a brindle pit came out of nowhere and attacked her. It picked her up and shook her and broke her neck in seconds, she didn't even see it coming! I had no chance of saving her, and the worst part is my 8-year-old daughter saw her Christmas present and future lifelong companion killed in front of her. I was able to get my 45 out and shoot the pit before it got away, I shot it until I ran out of rounds and if I had another magazine I would have put those into it also. If it's owner was there I probably would done the same to them but instead I was able to sue them and get enough that they'll remember for the rest of their lives what a bad decision they made in owning one of these dogs. I have known multiple people that have had serious issues with this breed and it has never ended up in the dog or owners favor. If another one comes around loose I won't wait for it to attack a pet or family member, it will be shot in seconds no questions asked! If it has an upset owner threatening to haunt me about the dead pit then bring it on! Their lives will change quickly also! I promise!

UPDATE: South Bend animal control seizes pit bull after it bites man's face

From My Google Alerts- July 2, 2010

A man in West Haven severely beat his Golden Retriever puppy and he was arrested; however, he was released on $7500 bail. Let’s hope he doesn’t assault a person on his way home from jail.

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In Golden Gate Park, on July 1, three people were bitten by loose dogs. One was a female shepherd mix and the other was a male pit bull, reportedly intact and used to breed illegally. Police have suggested the dogs were living with someone in a homeless camp. While the female dog was easily captured, the male gave police a run for their money causing them to open fire and graze the dog’s face. Both dogs were wearing harnesses so I bet their owner(s) weren’t too far.

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A Mastiff kept as a family pet bit a child’s face according to the Watauga Democrat. The only mention of the dog’s breed is one sentence:

Deputies responded to a home on Rabbit Run Lane near Winkler's Creek to find the dog (a mastiff) already secured and a child with severe facial bites.

The headline is not too frightening:

            Child hospitalized after family dog bites him in the face

Fortunately for the Mastiff breed there isn’t a headline demonizing them such as:

            Mastiff savagely mauls boy’s face; Brutal scene

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A German shepherd bit a 16-year-old boy on June 21, 2010. He was jogging to a friend’s birthday party when the dog attacked him. The dog supposedly bit a 13-year-old last year but no charges were filed against the dog’s owners because they paid the child’s medical bills. After the dog attacked this time, it still wasn’t impounded because it had a kennel and was up to date on vaccinations. The dog has since been destroyed though, after a court order was filed to have the dog euthanized.

Dog to be put down after biting child, 2, in Lakeville but not really- it is getting a reprieve

Dog to be put down after biting child, 2, in Lakeville

Order comes after unrelated savage attack on 5-year-old

A greyhound bit a 2-year old twice because of the mother’s and canine caregiver’s stupidity. The dog’s caregiver had a co-worker and the co-worker’s 2-year old son and boyfriend crashing at her place along with the greyhound, which she took in to help another friend. It sounds to me like someone doesn’t know how to say no to people and she is taken advantage of easily. That’s irrelevant though. Anyway, the dog bit the 2 year old once on May 8 and again on June 1. After the first incident one would think the girl’s mother would have found elsewhere to crash or take measures to ensure the dog was never around the child ever again. The 2 year old was probably left unsupervised with the dog and he probably pushed the dog’s buttons causing it to bite the child. I don’t fault the dog at all. Those idiots should have been supervising any interaction of the child and the dog if the mother truly had nowhere else to go. The child’s mom even admitted that an argument was taking place when the second incident occurred. What bothers me is that the dog bit a child twice and obviously shouldn’t be around children period. The fact is the dog bit a human not once but twice and needs to be euthanized. The selectman sentenced the dog to be euthanized, which is the responsible thing to do because it could bite another child in the future; however, the selectmen felt sorry for the dog and gave it a reprieve:

Selectmen gave the dog, Firewall, a bit of a reprieve and will ask a greyhound rescue group if it wants to try and place him, with the stipulation the town is released from all liability. But the window of opportunity is only 15 days, after which the dog will be put down, unless the owner appeals the decision.

Now, if this had been a pit bull or any dog faintly resembling a pit bull the town would be in the streets demanding death for the dog. Derek A Masky, one of the selectmen, states, “It was the owner’s responsibility to protect the child from the dog and that didn’t happen.”

I couldn’t agree with him more but then he says it “bothers him” that the dog is the one who is paying for the idiocy of the child’s mother. Would it bother him if it were a pit bull? Or a Rottweiler? Or a German Shepherd?

The owner of the greyhound and the caregiver do not believe the dog would have been sentenced to death if not for an unrelated attack on a 5-year old boy in town last week; the culprit was a 100lb American Bulldog who mauled a boy and its owner in an attempt to get it off the child.

The greyhound is going to be given a second chance if the greyhound rescue can adopt him out but the caregiver and its owner said they are going to try to adopt him, which should NEVER happen. These two are not responsible enough to have a dog. Period.