Family Dog Mistakenly Euthanized

A local family is mouing the loss of their dog after the DeKalb County Animal Shelter euthanized it. The shelter officials admit it was all a mistake. It isn't the first time DeKalb Animal Control has come under fire. In 2006, a woman's lost dog was also mistakenly euthanized.

Jonathan Pringle said because of a fight his dog, Lucky, had with a neighbor's dog, Lucky was picked up by DeKalb Animal Control. He was told that he could pick up Lucky after 10 days, pending the outcome of a court case.

Every Day for a week, Pringle and his daughter visited Lucky at the animal shelter. Until one day, Lucky was no longer there.

"They didn't apologize. They just said, 'Sir, we euthanized Lucky by mistake. We euthanized the wrong dog,'" said Pringle.

After an investigation, officials at the animal shelter are apologizing. According to the DeKalb County Animal Control Center officials, there is a system of checks and balances that includes an eight-step process that is designed to prevent errors. The process includes verifying an intake number and a picture of the animal. Officials admit that the system wasn't followed.

The county employee responsible for euthanizing Lucky was fired and another has been disciplined, but Pringle said nothing can replace Lucky.

"I'm sure I'll get another pet someday, but that won't be the same one. I want my dog back," he said.