A woman has returned home immediately after her pet dog Moose escaped before an Alaska Airlines flight from North Carolina to Seattle.
The passenger had to return to Raleigh-Durham International Airport to help the airline team search for the moose. According to a WRAL report, the moose was scheduled to depart on the same plane as its owner on March 26. However, he ultimately failed to board the plane.
Alaska Airlines officials told WRAL that this was due to a “mistake in the loading process.” Instead of traveling with passengers, Moose stayed at the airport overnight and was scheduled to fly out the next morning.
On Wednesday, staff took the moose for a walk before the flight. When they returned, the moose refused to go back into the box.
“When it was time to load him into the box, he let go of his leash and ran away,” an airline spokesperson said. According to a WRAL report, officers watched airport employees chase a “dog on the taxiway.” Moose have been spotted in “various locations around the airport campus.” However, the chase did not halt the arrival or departure of any flights.
WRAL reported that Alaska Airlines continued to pay for the owner's flights from Seattle. Law enforcement officers and fire rescue teams were mobilized to assist in the search and rescue of the moose. Luckily, the moose was safely returned to its passengers on March 28th.
“We are delighted that the dog is safely back with his pet parents. “Airport fire rescue teams took the dog, Moose, to his owner who was searching in another area yesterday,” Alaska Airlines officials said. Independent.
They continued to say: “She convinced him and he is safe and sound. The K9 officers at the harbor fed him and he left with his owner.”
Alaska Airlines requires that all pets scheduled to travel in the baggage compartment weigh no more than 150 pounds combined with the airline. According to their website, “You must travel on the same flight to your pet’s destination.” However, if you are not planning on flying with your pet, the airline asks you to visit alaskacargo.com.
“Alaska Airlines accepts most pets traveling in temperature-controlled baggage and cargo holds for a fee of $150,” it states. “Acceptable pets include cats, dogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, domestic birds, non-venomous reptiles, pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, tropical fish and more.”