A Whittier, California woman is heartbroken after her missing dog was euthanized within three days of being found.
The 12-year-old Shar-Pei, Reina, who was deaf and half-blind, ran away from Juana Lopez’ home and was later found by animal control officers. They then brought her to a veterinary office in Pico Rivera, instead of a shelter.
They scanned for a microchip and didn’t find one, although Lopez says Reina had one in her.
Rather than look for Reina’s owner, officials determined that she was unhealthy and euthanized her just three days after she ran away from her home.
“Why would you put a dog down knowing someone might be looking for it,” Lopez told KTLA 5. “I couldn’t even get the body back, because they had thrown her away already.”
Lopez says Reina was old and did have health issues, but was receiving regular medical treatment and was doing just fine.