Queens family says their dog was wrongly euthanized at Brooklyn shelter

A Queens family says their dog was wrongfully euthanized at a Brooklyn shelter.  
The Leon family says their dog, Leona, was missing for a few hours near their Queens home, and that after posting a picture of their puppy, someone responded with a post from the Animal Care Center of NYC’s Lost and Found page with a picture of their dog.  
“I was happy, my family was happy,” said Ericka Leon, owner of Leona. “I heard the word shelter, and I was like ‘I’m good, everything’s safe’.” 
According to Ericka, the Brooklyn shelter called her at around 2:30 p.m. asking her questions that seemed normal until they brought up her dog’s medical history. They started to slowly inform her that a veterinarian examined Leona and determined the dog should be euthanized.  
“Within three to four hours, my dog was missing, found, and killed,” said Ericka Leon.  
Leon says that the shelter told her Leona was put down at 1:10 p.m. but that she was not called until after 2 p.m. She says the shelter has a 72-hour policy before euthanizing any animal that was brought in.  
A statement from the Animal Care Center of NYC states the following:  
"For dogs with serious medical conditions and especially those stemming from extreme old age who are in pain and suffering, it is the duty of veterinary staff to provide peaceful end of life care. This decision is not made lightly but is always made in the best interest of the pet." 
Leon says her dog was not suffering but merely experiencing symptoms of old age. She says it was her family’s decision to determine when Leona’s last days would be, and that right was stripped away from them.  
“It makes me angry and sad to know that complete strangers were around my dog in her final moments,” said Leon. “They probably didn’t even hold her… that’s so messed up.” 
Leon says she’s created a petition so that the Animal Care Center can be held accountable for their actions.