Delta Airlines Accused of Losing Dog in World's Busiest Airport

A woman is still desperately searching for her dog after it went missing at the world’s busiest airport.

Paulina Rodriguez was flying with Delta from her home in the Dominican Republic to California for a two-week vacation along with her six-year-old dog Maia. During a stop-over at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, recognized by the Airports Council International as the busiest travel hub in the world, she encountered an issue with her tourist visa. Rodriguez was told she’d have to return home. Since there were no flights until the next day, she had to spend the night in a detention center.

Officials told Rodriguez that she would have to be separated from her dog, but assured her that Maia would be taken to a facility specializing in the treatment of animals. Maia never made it to the center, though, and Rodriguez was forced to return home without her companion.

On August 21, Rodriguez took to Facebook to beg the public for assistance. "For two 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.”

"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,” Rodriguez implored. 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 that an investigation into the incident is very much ongoing. They confirmed that searches were conducted of the airfield, and workers have maintained round-the-clock visual searches since the day of the incident as allowed by weather conditions. The airline has also reached out to local vets and animal shelters in an effort to locate Maia.

“Delta people are heartbroken over what this customer and her family are going through. Delta remains in contact with her as we continue to keep all eyes and ears open for her dog," the spokesperson said.