Monica Lopez was left devastated after animal control mistakenly euthanized her pitbull on Christmas Eve, WAND News reported.
Lopez’s dog, Dada, was brought to Champaign County Animal Control after getting away on Dec. 18, according to WAND News. After noticing her missing dog, Lopez called animal control following an extensive search, per WAND News. Lopez was told the pound had no dog close to Dada’s description, according to WAND News.
A woman took to Facebook saying Champaign County Animal Control put her dog down before she could pick him up. #WCIA https://t.co/0ErLIp74N4
— WCIA.com (@WCIA3) December 30, 2020
Four days after her dog went missing, Lopez received a call from a woman who claimed to have brought Dada to animal control the day Dada went missing, WAND News reported. Dada was confirmed to be with animal control after Lopez contacted them again and sent in a picture of the dog.
Due to the approaching holiday, Lopez was not going to be able to pick up her dog until Monday Dec. 28, per WAND News. Animal control reportedly assured Lopez her dog would be kept safe until she could pick him up Monday.
However, Dada was put down on Dec. 24, WAND News reported. (RELATED: Denver Voters Elect To Overturn Pit Bull Ban)
Darlene Kloeppel, Champaign County executive, said that while the county agreed to allow the dog to stay four extra days before being picked up by Lopez, the employee who euthanized Dada was not informed of the change, according to WAND News.
Lopez posted the heartbreaking news on her Facebook page, “Mommy is missing you everyday but I know doggy heaven will take care of you.”
Kloeppel noted that the county’s policy requires animals be held for five days before any action is taken, according to WAND News. However, the Champaign County Animal Control Ordinance states, “The Administrator or Animal Control Warden shall give notice of not less than 7 business days to the owner prior to the disposal of the animal.”