Shelter euthanizes Afghan war hero dog

PHOENIX, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- A dog credited with possibly saving dozens of lives in Afghanistan was mistakenly put down after she slipped away from her Arizona home, her adopted owner said.

Sgt. Terry Young said when he went to Pinal County's Casa Grande Shelter to fetch Target, a shelter employee brought him the wrong dog, The Arizona Republic in Phoenix reported Tuesday.

Young waited for an hour Monday before the shelter director told him there had been a mistake and Target had been euthanized.

Young brought Target back to Arizona after she served a heroic tour of duty in Afghanistan that included protecting Young and other troops by fending off a suicide bomber. Thanks to Target, the bomber was forced to detonate his explosives in a doorway rather than in a room filled with soldiers.

Her story was featured in the newspaper and on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

Pinal County said it was investigating the incident.

"When it comes to euthanizing an animal, there are some clear-cut procedures to follow," said Ruth Stalter, animal control director. "Based on my preliminary investigation, our employee did not follow those procedures."