LOSING A LOVED ONE: Frank Ramano with Ty.

It’s bad enough when an airline loses your luggage. But how would you feel if they lost your best furry friend?

Delta Airlines is being accused of losing a dog which has yet to be found after nearly two weeks on the loose.

Frank Romano was flying from Los Angeles International Airport to Tampa, Florida, on October 31 (local time) when he was told six-year-old pit bull Ty had gone missing.

A Delta agent first told him the dog had chewed through his kennel but had been found and just needed to be identified, Romano told Today.

 “And then two minutes later, she told me that he ran away an hour ago and they still can’t find him.” 

Romano and his family got off the plane and unsuccessfully searched all over the airport for the dog, which was micro-chipped, New York Daily News reported.

The next day they grudgingly boarded a second Tampa-bound flight, leaving the search to the airline.

Delta said “early indications show procedures were followed and the dog may have compromised the kennel on its own.” 

Romano said the airline had given him a US$200 (NZ$254) credit to cover the dog’s fare, but that did not cover the cost of losing his dog.

After seeing photographs of the kennel, he also had doubts about the claim his dog broke out of the crate.

“To me honestly, it looks like it was broken from the outside,” Romano said. “Like the metal door was off the hinges and everything. It doesn’t look like a dog bit through that.” 

The airport said staff had looked for the dog but had suspended the search after receiving no reports of dog sightings.

Romano got Ty more than a year ago at a pet store where he volunteered as a dog walker.

Store manager David Cervantes of Bird House/Dog House in North Hollywood, told CBS Los Angeles the two quickly formed a bond.

Originally he had not wanted to let Romano adopt Ty because Romano’s family was homeless and living in motels.

Romano said he had been moving with his family from LA to Tampa in the hope of finding steady work.

Losing Ty was “very depressing, very upsetting. I’ve been crying. I’ve been angry”.

“I just want my dog back. He’s my best friend.”

According to the US Department of Transportation’s website, more than a dozen pets have chewed through their kennels and died on flights this year.

 – © Fairfax NZ News

Next Travel Troubles story:

Measles fly in to Auckland

Travel Homepage