Pet Dog Missing for 3 Weeks in Atlanta Airport Safely Reunited with Owner.Photo:Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport/Twitter
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport/Twitter
A pet dog that went missing for three weeks in the Atlanta Airport has been reunited with her owner, according to airport officials.
Six-year-old Maia’s owner, Paulina Rodriguez, was flying from the Dominican Republic to California on Delta Air Lines for a two-week vacation whenher dog disappearedon Aug. 18,CNN Travelfirst reported. After three weeks, an official airport report gave a happy update on the investigation.
“Maia, the dog who escaped onto the airfield at the world’s busiest airport, was recovered on September 9,” Atlanta Airport wrote onX(previously known as Twitter). “ATL’s Operations team found her hiding near the North Cargo facilities. Tired but in apparent good health, she was transported to a vet and is expected to return home soon.”
According to Rodriguez’s Instagram, she finally reunited with her pup and was on her way home. During the search, she shared updates on social media about the distressing situation.
“SHE IS NOT JUST MY DOG. SHE IS MY BEST FRIEND ON EARTH,” Rodriguez wrote in anInstagram postat the time Maia was lost. “@deltatook her away from me even though i kindly asked them she was my emotional support and she was in DISTRESS and she broke her kennel and ran into the airport highway.”
“She has been lost for 72 hours now,” Rodriguez added. “ She is extremely sensible to noise and she must be scared to death.#whereismaia@delta@edbastian@atlairport”
Rodriguez told CNN that when she arrived at the airport, she could not enter the U.S. because there were problems with her tourist visa. She said they told her she had to fly back to the Dominican Republic the next day.
Pet Dog Missing for 3 Weeks in Atlanta Airport Safely Reunited with Owner.Robert Alexander/Getty
Robert Alexander/Getty
Concerned about Maia, who had “puked with distress and had diarrhea,” Rodriguez told the outlet that the airport said “not to worry” because Maia would be in a facility that cared for animals However, Rodriguez said that when she arrived, her dog wasn’t there.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
“For 2 straight days I have not received any information whatsoever on her whereabouts, and just today I received info from Delta that she escaped her kennel on the airport ramp and that airport staff was looking for her,” she wrote in aFacebook poston Aug. 21.
“Has any shelter near to the Atlanta airport received this dog? Also if anyone has any leads or suggestions on what should I do, I would really appreciate it. I am truly desperate and every minute counts,” she added. “To clarify, I am not in Atlanta and I have no way right now to get there, but I have people who will go to the ATL airport in person very soon.”
A Delta spokesperson told PEOPLE after the incident that the airline was in communication with Rodriguez.
“Delta people are heartbroken over what this customer and her family are going through,” the spokesperson said. “Delta remains in contact with her as we continue to keep all eyes and ears open for her dog.”
source: people.com
