A missing dog was mistakenly put down in a tragic mix-up at an animal shelter.

Monica Lopez said her pit bull Dada vanished after he got loose in Champaign in Illinois, US on December 18.

She claimed she tracked him down to the Champaign County Animal Control and was told the pooch was “safe”.

The dog owner arranged to pick him up last Monday as the Christmas holidays meant she was unable to get there straight away.

But before she got there she was told he had been euthanised by mistake on Christmas Day, according to the New York Post.

Revealing the “heartbreaking” news online, she described it as a “horrible day”.

She wrote on Facebook : “Animal control told me they had my dog on Wednesday and that he was safe and warm but due to the holidays I couldn’t pick him up until today .

“They turnt (sic) around and gave me heartbreaking news that he was put down on Christmas day even tho they told me he was safe and warm.

“You weren’t just a regular dog.”

• 

  Cocker spaniel helps 'Mancub' communicate after autistic boy, 4, didn't talk

Paying tribute, she described the pit bull as “my heart, my baby” and an “angel”.

She added: “Mommy is missing you everyday but I know doggy heaven will take care of you.”

And she vowed to take every step possible to get justice for her dog.

She went on: “I know nothing will ever bring him back, but this cannot happen to any more pit bulls.”

Darlene Kloeppel, the executive of Champaign County, confirmed a worker had put down the dog.

She said the employee had not been notified about the plans for him to be collected.

In a statement to news station WAND, she said: “Fortunately, errors of this type are rare.

“While the holidays and staff vacations made this circumstance unique, additional steps in animal control procedures have been put in place to prevent any similar gaps in communication in the future.”

Source: Read Full Article