A Newburgh woman says the city euthanized her 12-year-old family dog after she couldn’t afford nearly $3,000 in boarding and veterinary costs that racked up while the animal was being held following a minor altercation with another dog.

Lisa Dedrick says the incident happened last month when her pit bull, Luna, and her other dog, Onyx, got loose through a broken door. She says the dogs then got into a "tussle" with a smaller dog being walked nearby.

“I’m not saying it was right,” Dedrick told News 12. “But I don’t think anybody should’ve paid their life for it.”

Dedrick says Luna had never been involved in a fight before. She says Onyx was involved in the altercation for only seconds and Luna was mostly barking and growling. She says none of the dogs were hurt, but the owner of the other dog suffered what she describes as a small puncture wound and scratch on her leg. She says it's unclear if Luna caused it.

She says the City of Newburgh Animal Control took both of her dogs because their rabies vaccinations were overdue. Dedrick also says Luna’s dog license still listed an old address. She says the dogs were then ordered into a 10-day quarantine at Flannery Animal Hospital in New Windsor.

Dedrick says daily boarding charges, veterinary care and other fees quickly added up. She says she spent nearly $1,000 — all of her savings — to get Onyx back, but the city would not allow Luna to be released until she first appeared in court because of the alleged injury to the other dog's owner. Dedrick says she appeared twice in City of Newburgh Court over the last five weeks, most recently on July 16, when she offered to pay $900 toward Luna’s bill and requested a payment plan. She claims she was told the bill, which was allegedly nearing $3,000, had to be paid in full before Luna would be released.

Dedrick took to social media last week for help. A GoFundMe campaign created to help cover the costs raised about $250 to bring Luna home. She says she was ultimately unable to raise enough money before Luna was euthanized.

News 12 confirmed with the City of Newburgh Court clerk that a judge signed an order on July 16 authorizing Flannery Animal Hospital to “humanely euthanize” Luna. Dedrick says the city's animal control officer told her Monday Luna was euthanized last Friday, shortly after the court appearance.

The case has drawn concern from the president of the Hudson Valley SPCA.

“This case is particularly alarming to me because this dog was 12 years old,” said Joan Kay. “She had a loving home. She had children waiting for her to come home.”

Kay says she believes Luna could have completed the required quarantine at home while being walked with a muzzle, avoiding hundreds or even thousands of dollars in boarding and veterinary costs.

“The fees didn’t have to exist,” Kay said.

Kay says Dedrick could have been allowed to update the dogs’ rabies vaccinations through several local animal clinics or commercial businesses that offer veterinary care before those costs accumulated.

Kay also says she has worked with other municipalities that transfer dogs with bite histories to rescues or adoptive homes rather than euthanizing them.

She believes Luna’s case is not isolated and claims Newburgh has a history of euthanizing a high percentage of dogs taken into its custody.

“My understanding is they’re housed at Flannery, and if they’re not picked up within a specified time, they’re euthanized,” Kay said.

Kay says she hopes to work with the City of Newburgh on alternatives for future cases.

News 12 repeatedly reached out to the City of Newburgh and its animal control department for comment about Dedrick's allegations, Luna's case and policies regarding seized animals but has not received a response. News 12 also reached out to Flannery Animal Hospital and its corporate owner, VCA, for comment and is awaiting a response.