Tragic is an understatement.



TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - On Veterans Day, an Arizona war hero went missing, especially upsetting because she, along with two close friends, thwarted a suicide bomber in Afghanistan earlier this year.

Even more impressive, the fearless trio did it with zero training and without even enlisting, real civilian warriors, "When you go through such an intense experience with somebody, albeit a dog, you just grow a very strong bond," said U.S. National Guard Sergeant Terry Young, Target's owner.

The two had such an endearing bond, it got the pair an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey show.

"It was February 11, 2010. It was 9 o'clock at night, and an individual with a suicide vest made his way up to the compound," Young explained to Oprah.

That's when target attacked the bomber, along with Sasha and Rufus, putting their lives on the line, saving 50 American soldiers from possible death. Arizona's Friends of Animal Control & Care recently honored Target. "The suicide bomber ended up detonating his bomb as he entered the barracks but because of the dogs heroics only 5 soldiers were medi-vacced," a member of Arizona's Friends of Animal Control & Care recalled.

I was an act that left Target's owner speechless and close to tears, "It...(pauses, cant continue)....oh my god, sorry!" Sgt. Young explained while burying his head in his hand.

Medics treated the dogs like soldiers. Sasha did not make it. Rufus went to Georgia. And, Target came home to Arizona with best friend, Sergeant Young.

Target's Facebook page lit up with concern when she somehow got loose Veterans Day and ended up in the Pinal County Animal Shelter, where she became the target of a terrible mistake, "She (Pinal Animal Care Director, Ruth Stalter) just kept saying, 'I'm so sorry, I'm sorry. This is an absolute mistake, it shouldn't have happened like this," recounted Sgt. Young.

The hero who saved so many lives, accidentally had hers taken away; Target was put to sleep instead of another dog, reawakening the horrors of Afghanistan.

Pinal County Animal Care & Control is not commenting citing an ongoing investigation. But, they did tell us the employee who was euthanized Target was placed on administrative leave for failing to follow procedures.

Just wow! Horrible!

No words! But sadly, this happens quite often. A lady I work with had their beloved family pet, a 3 year old Pekingnese escape their front yard while playing and ended up at the local animal shelter. They found her and showed up to get her back and the shelter said since she did not have current vaccination tags, they had to go to their vet and pay for the animal to get current on shots and bring the receipt back to the shelter before they could take her home. They told the shelter that they would do it and be back the next day to pick her up. When they showed up the next day they were informed that their family pet had mistakenly been put down in a mass euthanasia sweep ordered by the director of the shelter. It was horrible for her family! She has 4 kids and they were all very attached to their pet and it just devastated them! Luckily she is related to the mayor of the small town they live in and he is working to ensure that something like this never happens again. But that is one, small, local shelter. Who will ensure it never happens anywhere else? No one...

Sucks to lose a dog...regardless of stature among people.

At least they have one hell of a memory of their friend.