AIRLINE LOSES WOMAN’S DOG

Atlanta Airport is the busiest airport in the world. Knowing that, you’d think they know what they’re doing when it comes to handling domestic animals on flights.

Paula Rodriguez was flying from the Dominican Republic to the United States for a two-week holiday in California with her dog Maia.

Rodriguez flew with Delta Airlines and had a layover in Atlanta on her way to San Francisco. When the pair arrived at Atlanta, Rodriguez was told by border staff that her tourist visa didn’t meet the requirements so they cancelled it on the spot.

They informed her that she would have to return to the Dominican Republic on the next available flight. The next flight was only the following day so Rodriguez was forced to spend the night in a detention centre without Maia.

She was told that Maia would be taken to a facility and given food and water.

The pair were meant to reunite at the airport the following day, but it never happened. Staff at the airport told Rodriguez they don’t know where Maia is.

Once home, Rodriguez filed a case with every airline and airport department she could think of. She was later informed that a representative from either the airport or the airline opened the vehicle’s door that was transporting Maia and she jumped out.

They couldn’t find her and Maia is still missing.

Rodriguez told CNN that she rescued Maia when she was only a month old.

“Everyone who knows me know what she means to me. I don’t go anywhere without her. She’s so well behaved that I take her to restaurants, literally anywhere. She’s my partner in everything.”

The airline has offered Rodriguez $1,800 as compensation for losing Maia.

Image credit: WSAZ