Imagine planning the perfect vacation, only to have it turn into a nightmare when your dog goes missing—thanks to an airline’s mistake. That’s exactly what happened to Paula Rodriguez, who was left heartbroken and furious after Delta Airlines lost her dog and offered her just $1,800 in return.
Paula and her six-year-old rescue dog, Maia, were heading to San Francisco from the Dominican Republic on August 18 for a two-week getaway. But during a layover in Atlanta, Paula’s plans took a devastating turn.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol detained Paula due to visa issues, denying her entry into the country. While she was sent to a detention center overnight to await deportation, Maia was left in Delta’s care—or so Paula thought.
When it was time for Paula’s return flight the next morning, she was given gut-wrenching news: Maia was missing. Delta officials told Paula that her beloved dog had somehow broken out of her kennel and vanished at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Panicked and desperate, Paula pleaded with officials to let her search for Maia before boarding her flight back to Santo Domingo. But due to strict U.S. regulations, she wasn’t allowed to stay in the airport for more than 24 hours. Tearfully, she had no choice but to leave without her furry companion.
Back home, Paula began frantically calling Delta for answers, but the responses she received only added to her frustration. “I started making calls, I started making claims—nobody knew where she was,” Paula shared. A Delta representative later informed her that Maia had escaped, but since then, the airline has gone silent.
@paulacamilarod @delta lost my dog and still doesn’t finds it after 3 days #WHEREISMAIA #delta #atlanta #atlairport #dominicanrepublic #anf ♬ sonido original – Paula Camila
To make matters worse, Delta eventually offered Paula $1,800, calling it a “gesture of goodwill.” But the payment came with a disclaimer: it wasn’t compensation for Maia’s loss. Paula’s lawyer slammed the offer, calling it “insulting” given the emotional toll of losing a beloved pet.
While Delta claims to have shown empathy and remains “heartbroken” over the situation, their efforts have done little to ease Paula’s pain. Maia is still missing, and the clock is ticking.
Determined not to give up, Paula turned to social media, sharing her story to raise awareness and ask for help. She’s even offering a $1,000 reward for any information that leads to Maia’s safe return. Her sister, Danielle, has also stepped in, creating a GoFundMe campaign to gather resources for the search.
This heartbreaking ordeal has sparked outrage among animal lovers everywhere. Many are questioning how a major airline could let something like this happen. As Paula continues her fight to bring Maia home, one thing is clear: no pet owner should ever have to endure such a devastating experience.
If you or someone you know is near the Atlanta airport, keep an eye out for Maia. Together, we might just help reunite Paula with her best friend. Share her story—every bit of awareness helps.
