JAKARTA - A family pet was flown thousands of miles in the wrong direction to Saudi Arabia, not to the United States, after the plane's cargo mishandling.
Madison Miller was moving to Nashville with her husband James when she boarded a British Airways flight from Heathrow, London, England, believing their dog had been placed in the plane's cargo.
However, after trying to pick up Bluebell upon arrival in the US, he was told that something had gone wrong and the five-year-old dog was flown to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The black Labrodor mix has now returned to its owner after a 60-hour separation, but they say he is suffering from behavioral problems, following the ordeal.
Meanwhile, the IAG Cargo, which handles British Airways cargo, has apologized for the incident.
"Imagine you getting off the plane and your wife calling you in tears. They have sent Bluebell to Saudi Arabia... I think Bluebell is always with me all the time. Instead, he was on the plane to Riyadh, seven hours in the wrong direction," Miller wrote on Facebook, launching The National News December 20.
"What happened next was 60 hours of hell. Through the jet lag phase and tears that were shaking, we finally reunited with our dogs. He was confined in his cage for most of the time. He was scared, scared and alone. We felt paralyzed to protect our family members," he continued.
He said Bluebell had been injured by the experience, now it's scary and damaging. The couple is seeking compensation from British Airways and the IAG to pay for training to help it overcome the problems that occur.
"He is a shell of himself, he is destructive, protects resources (because he is barely fed), and always panics. We need treatment and training to help him overcome it," he explained.
He explained that all they wanted was compensation to help pay the fees, but airlines and cargo handlers offered us 50,000 Avios points. "Not once, but twice; even when we refused and explained our costs to them," he said.
"This is unacceptable, and inhumane and it makes me sick. It has turned our lives upside down."
Meanwhile, the IAG Cargo said they understood how annoying it was for the family.
That adds: "During Bluebell's time with us, he often receives refreshments and has time outside to stretch his legs, including regular walks and eight hours with the team at the Heathrow animal admission center taking care of him."
"Despite these steps, we understand that this has been a disappointing situation for Bluebell and its owners, and remain in touch with them to resolve the situation."
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