A dog that fought off a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, saving the lives of several US soldiers, was euthanized by mistake by animal shelter staff in Arizona.
An investigation was underway Tuesday into why Target was put to sleep at the Pinal County Animal Care & Control center. An unnamed employee was placed on administrative leave for failing to follow procedures.
The shepherd-mix dog was picked up last Friday after going missing from its owner Sgt. Terry Young’s home in the San Tan Valley area, southeast of Phoenix. The dog, which was not microchipped or licensed with the county, was euthanized Monday.
“I am heartsick over this. I had to personally deliver the news to the dog’s owner, and he and his family are understandably distraught,” shelter director Ruth Stalter 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.”
Young only found out after showing up at the shelter to claim Target. “I just can’t believe that something like this would happen to such a good dog,” Young told the Arizona Republic.
He brought Target back to Arizona in August at the end of his tour of duty in Afghanistan after the dog, along with two others, frightened a suicide bomber into detonating his device early. Five soldiers were injured, but they reckoned the toll could have been much worse.
“The four-year-old [daughter] is really taking it hard right now,” Young said. “She’s saying we need to get the poison out of her so she can come home. She can’t grasp the idea that she’s gone.”
Target will be cremated by the Young family.