Atlanta, GA – A dog that made headlines after escaping at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport several weeks ago has been successfully recovered, as confirmed by the airport authorities in a recent social media announcement.
The canine, named Maia, was discovered by an operations team near the airport’s North Cargo facilities, according to airport officials. Maia has since been transported to a veterinarian for necessary medical attention.
The owner of the wayward dog, Paula Rodriguez, found herself in a distressing situation when Maia disappeared during a layover in Atlanta while she was on a Delta flight. In a heartfelt plea for assistance, Rodriguez turned to the “Atlanta Area Lost and Found Pets” Facebook group on August 18, sharing her anguish over the situation.
“For two consecutive days, I have not received any information regarding her whereabouts, and just today, I received information from Delta Airlines that she had escaped her kennel on the airport ramp, and airport staff had initiated a search,” Rodriguez lamented in her August 21 post, accompanied by a photograph of Maia.
In the wake of Maia’s sudden disappearance, Robin Allgood, a dedicated individual known for her efforts in locating lost dogs, took it upon herself to post flyers around the airport premises. She recounted her involvement to CBS News’ David Begnaud, noting that she received a tip from someone who claimed to have spotted Maia.
Allgood described the tense situation, revealing that the elusive pup had sought refuge beneath a rack typically employed for moving substantial cargo containers within the airport. Despite the efforts of a wildlife biologist who attempted to capture Maia with a net, the dog remained out of reach. As onlookers pondered how to extract Maia from her hiding place, Allgood took swift action.
“I thought, ‘You know what? Y’all aren’t getting her, I am.’ So, I just started inching my way on my back under the rack. Nobody even realized I was under there. I reached out and grabbed her, and then somebody said, ‘Oh my gosh, she’s got her,'” Allgood recounted to Begnaud, illustrating the triumphant moment of Maia’s rescue.
