Had Disappeared For Three Weeks At US Airport, This Dominican Tourist Dog Was Found

JAKARTA - After waiting in anxiety for almost a month, a dog owner who was on vacation in Uncle Sam's country calmed down, after his lost pet was found safe at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, United States on Saturday, according to airport officials.

Maia, a 6-year-old dog belonging to passengers of the Delta Air Lines airline, Paula Rodriguez, disappeared in August at the airport, which is considered the busiest airport in the world.

The airport operations team found Maia hiding near a northern cargo facility, according to an upload on X, a social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

"Leaked but in good health, he was taken to a veterinarian and is expected to return home soon," airport officials said, featuring a photo of Maia, as reported by CNN Sept. 10.

On August 18, Rodriguez and Maia began a trip from their homes in the Dominican Republic to California for a two-week vacation.

However, when they arrived in Atlanta for a layover, Rodriguez was told by border patrol staff that her tourist visa did not meet the required requirements. They canceled their visa and told him he had to return home on the next flight, Rodriguez had previously told CNN.

With the next flight to Punta Cana scheduled for the following day, Rodriguez faces a sad reality, as she spends the night alone at the immigration center, separated from her beloved dog.

"They called the Delta agent, who took Maia from me," Rodriguez told CNN.

Maia, the dog who escaped onto the airfield at the world’s busiest airport, was recovered on September 9. 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. pic.twitter.com/eNbM6us1BW

— Atlanta Airport (@ATLairport) September 10, 2023

Maia, the dog who escaped on to the airfield at the world's busiest airport, was recovered on September 9. AtL's operations teams found her hiding near the North Cargo facilities. Tired but in an important good health, she was transported to a vet and is expected to return home soon. pic.twitter.com/eNbM6us1BW

The next day, Rodriguez arrived at the flight gate early, awaiting a meeting with Maia. What disappointed her was that Maia never came.

Unable to stay in the United States for more than 24 hours without a visa, Rodriguez had no choice but to board her flight to Punta Cana without Maia, an experience she said sparked a panic attack during her return trip.

"Everyone I know knows what he means to me," Rodriguez said of her favorite pet.

"I'm not going anywhere without him. He behaved so well that I took him to a restaurant, anywhere. He was my brother in every way," he said.

Two days after Maia went missing, Delta representatives contacted Rodriguez to deliver bad news.

"They said he (Maia) was transported (to the plane) on the runway, and staff had opened his cage and he fled into the middle of the runway," said Rodriguez.

Although Rodriguez kept calling Delta for the latest information, weeks passed without receiving any new information.

With the cancellation of its tourist visa, Rodriguez sent her mother to Atlanta to join the search effort at 4.000 hectares of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

Rodriguez shared the suffering caused by Maia's loss, describing her experience as "living a nightmare."

His worst fear faded on Saturday last week, when Atlanta Airport officials announced Maia's discovery three weeks after she disappeared.

A Delta spokesperson previously told CNN in a statement:

"The Delta team has been working to find and reunite these pets with customers and we are still in touch with customers to provide the latest information. Delta is deeply concerned about the customer and dog, we are committed to carrying out ongoing search efforts, working with the Atlanta City Aviation Department and other stakeholders".