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Delta pays $2,800 for a lost dog worth $20,000
I never actually thought about what happens when airlines lose people's pets. Airlines lose bags all the time, and people travel with pets all the time. The odds make it inevitable.
I missed the 2006 story of Vivi the award-winning whippet, who disappeared from her crate at New York's JFK airport after competing at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show two years ago. According to this NY Times article, her disappearance prompted an extensive, frenzied and fruitless search (including 100 local volunteers) in the states of New York and New Jersey. Delta Air Lines paid her owners a flat fee of $2,800 as it would for a lost piece of luggage of comparable size. Aside from her emotional value, Vivi the Champion was worth about $20,000.
Her owners have not lost all hope. Recently, they have been talking to animal psychics who have revealed that Vivi is alive and well, and living in Brooklyn.
What strange things have been found on planes?
Click the image to read the bizarre story...
Filed under: North America, United States, Airlines, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ShadowGod Feb 10th 2008 2:45PM
How is a dog worth $20,000? To whom is it worth this much? How do they arrive upon the 20,000 figure?
Fastman Feb 10th 2008 3:24PM
Worth that to dog loons.
M Feb 12th 2008 6:46AM
For the same reason that a horse that wins the Kentucky Derby can charge in the millions for stud fees. It's all about the next generations. On top of losing their pet they just lost out on all the possible puppies.
Stacey Feb 12th 2008 8:11AM
HA HA HA, I saw the headline and said I bet you $20,000 it was Delta that lost the dog and HA HA HA I was right. They are the CRAPPIEST most DISGUSTINGLY CHEAP and FILTHY airline I have EVER been on. My Pilot was like 12 years old, the one stewardess (both times) was NASTY and basically threw peanuts at us and the staff in the airport looked like and acted like they were recruited from HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT HEADQUARTERS. I gaurantee one of their DRUGGIE employees stole the dog and sold it somewhere else.
Tamster Feb 12th 2008 8:12AM
Stacey, just for your edifiction, Delta Air Lines does not fly any aircraft which are staffed with only one flight attendant. Perhaps you are referring to one of their connection carriers who fly smaller planes and yes, employ younger pilots. Many pilots get build up their hours at a smaller carrier before they come over to the majors. Many times these young men and women have received their initial training in the armed forces...good enough for you now? I am sorry you had peanuts thrown at you...sometimes it's hard to keep one's balance on a smaller aircraft when it's going through rough air. Perhaps next time you should offer to help! Flight attendants on the smaller aircraft have no one to assist them...and I"m sure at times it can be very challenging to serve up to thirsty 50 people on a puddle jumper...good news is they're hiriing! Want to give it a go, Stacey?
Stacey Feb 12th 2008 8:12AM
btw, I bet you Delta had to take out a personal loan to pay the $2,800 back for the dog. That must've dang near broke the bank for them. I reiterate, worst airline ever! First time we flew in to NYC and had a connecting flight with Delta, all planes got grounded because their crappy company's servers all went down. We were stuck for hours after being loaded and unloaded on the plane. Then going out of NYC, they had us sit on the tarmac for almost an hour because they had overbooked our flight and we were "too heavy" so they were trying to get passengers to get off the plane of their own free will for a lousy hotel room and a chance to go through the same BS the next day. HA! I'd rather hitchhike than take Delta again- Probably end up with a better quality of people anyway than the crooks they've hired.
Pam Woolard Feb 12th 2008 8:13AM
As a breeder, I ship dogs all over the US. Even though it is against company policy to open a crate with an animal in it, I see it done ALL the time. They want to hold the puppy or see what makes them so valuable. I can almost bet my last dollar that the airport wanted to see what a CH. show dog looked like and opened that door. I have started cable tying the doors shut. If one of mine gets out, they have lots of plaining to do Lucy.
Stacey Feb 12th 2008 8:13AM
first of all, there was only ONE flight attendant and the plane was the size of a closet and dirty! the flight attendant was rude! She huffed whenever asked for anything and got into actual arguments with the customers on board and actually threatened to go get the pilot at one point because the guy she was talking to told her she was rude. (while we were grounded and she wanted us to get off the plane because yet another Delta screw up) The check in counter was appaling. The girls behind there were so busy talking about their personal lives that any time approached, they treated us like we were inconveniencing them- imagine that, having to WORK at WORK! Both of my flights were a nightmare and the Delta lobby was scuzzier than a grey hound bus station. I would have gladly helped the attendant if I wasn't so exhausted from getting on and off the plane and moving my luggage and car seats and children around because they couldn't decide if they were coming or going. On top of that, we were flying into NY from Italy and a little tired. Is it too much to ask for customer service and maybe a polite attitude from the airlines we just dropped thousands of dollars to fly with? All the other airlines seemed able to comply but Delta. AND BTW, WE ARE IN THE MILITARY! I see military pilots and have some that are my FRIENDS and they are not young at all- they actually have to shave in the morning. I wouldn't work for Delta airlines if it was the last job on earth, and frankly, I wouldn't fly with them if they were giving away tickets. I'm allowed to say that because I gave them the chance and both times they blew it. It's called customer service and satisfaction which they do not have. Should've stayed bankrupt and out of the skies.
w Feb 12th 2008 8:29AM
LOST MY A**!!! That dog was stolen and sold to the highest bidder!!!
jamdam Feb 12th 2008 9:24AM
Tamster, excuse me? Are you suggesting to Stacy that she should have helped the stewardess? How insane!!! Enormous ticket prices and now we have to wash dishes on the plane? What next?
rdmusa1 Feb 12th 2008 9:53AM
Same goes for related animal bording homes. My friend lost her prize cat during a business trip only to return and discover the Home could not account for her beloved cat! How does an animal just dissapear? Neglect or possible inside issues of course with neglegent staff. She started digging in legally and discovered they were licensed under three dfferent LLC's making recourse nearly impossbile. Just how many like this incompetents are out there???
Quinn Feb 12th 2008 9:53AM
I travel alot and Delta is the one airline I will never fly again. Besides having less leg room than other carriers, they stole my husbands suitcase on the return from a dream trip from South America. I say stole because there were so few people on the flight, we got there hours early and watched it go on the plane. And the icing on the cake was that because it was an international flight, they would only give us HALF of the money they pay out for lost luggage. The airlines just don't get that the little trinkets brought back from a trip of a lifetime costs pennies, but it is worth the world to the traveler who has acquired them.
jeffskoenig Feb 12th 2008 10:32AM
Haha, they talked to animal psychics, that is one of the most ridiculious things I have ever heard. Animal psychics have to be one of the biggest scams EVER....next to real psychics of course. Anyone can be an animal psychic, actually right now I can tell you what all of your pets want....they want food....aw man, I am so awesome, I am going to write a book.
But really, sucks to lose a dog whether it's $20,000 or $75 from a shelter.
boobied419 Feb 12th 2008 10:33AM
What a sin! I feel for the family who lost their pet. It's like losing a family member. It's very sad and I hope that Vivi is infact alive and well. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and I hope Vivi will be returned to you someday soon. As far as Delta goes, it's too bad that they are that irresponsible and stupid to lose an animal. Now we know we can't trust them with our most special possesions.
david Feb 12th 2008 10:33AM
Delta = Don't Expect Luggage To Arrive
LUTHER VOM SCHMIDT Feb 12th 2008 10:34AM
I WILL PAY 1 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE SAME RETURN OF VIVI.
CG Feb 12th 2008 3:03PM
Yes, I concur. Delta sucks! How do you lose a dog? It's not even possible unless Vivi fell out of the sky! I fly a lot of airlines and so far ... Southwest is the only one that you can get guaranteed service from. I don't fly on price, I fly on service. This is probably why they are the only profitable airline out there.
Tammy Hengst Feb 12th 2008 3:26PM
Brooklyn, I have a friend who lives there so I'll have her keep an eye open for her.
How much was this dog psychic paid?
ctky Feb 12th 2008 3:06PM
I feel so bad for this family and wish them the safe return of their pet.
I've actually been in this situation When we lived in OR and flew cross country to visit family in OH Delta actually lost our dog. We had a beautiful Golden Retriever who instead of getting put on the plane to OR (obviously on a return trip) was put on a plane to Washington State. Luckily close by. We saw her get loaded on to a cart but were on the wrong side of the plane to watch her get loaded on to the plane. When we arrived at our destination and went to pick her up, the people at the counter were in obvious distress since (luckily) the immediatly realized their mistake upon landing. We weren't about to let them fly her back, so on their expense we rented a car and drove to Washington. Our poor girl had been in her crate for about 10 hours (about 7 of them being on the plane) some kind sole at Washington's airport was trying to be really kind and ended up breaking her out of the kennel to get her food and water and to stretch her legs..Imagine walking up to that! Poor girl was so dehydrated that she ended up needed IV fluids- again all at Delta's expense....(at this time the airline only allowed a frozen cup of ice for the entire trip)
We also ended up getting our money back for the flight....Can't say though I've flown with them since though
dachsie jewels Feb 12th 2008 11:41AM
As a breeder, owner and handler of champion miniature longhair dachshunds and involved heavily in the sport of dogs, the $20,000 figure is low depending on the dog. If one of my girls were lost by an airline, I would be out to own the airline. Dollar amounts for champion show dogs are based on their winning record and progeny. We as breeders make absolutely no money on our dogs. To have a top dog and to get to Westminster will cost you thousands of dollars each year, in travel expenses, advertising, entry fees, handler fees and more. Most of us are just average people with a GREAT LOVE for our breed, and we breed ONLY to produce the best dogs we can. 95% of what we breed goes to pet homes, that we carefully select and interview prospective owners to assure that they know about our breed. I and all of my breeder friends live by this ethical creed. We have contracts that are signed stating to the new family that if they ever decide that they are unable to keep their pet, that that dog is returned to us, no exceptions. Also on our contracts are spay and neuter requirements, pet dogs MUST BE SPAYED OR NUETERED. RESPONSIBLE breeders do not breed dogs that have allergies, hereditary diseases or any other problems. Why would we want the owners of our dogs to have enormous vet bills? This is in a nutshell is why the $20,000 figure. I am very disappointed when I get a call from someone looking for a puppy and I quote them from $500 - $1200 depending on the puppy and they tell me too much and hang up. Then why did they take the time to contact the AKC, local breed club, or however they got my phone number, if they just wanted a backyard bred puppy. OK, so they pay $200 for a dog with “papers”, but how healthy is that dog. I want to tell them, well you will just have to pay for it later in vet bills. I only breed once or maybe twice a year and none of my bitches is ever bred more than 2 or 3 times. Currently I have my puppy of a lifetime, after 30 years of dachshunds, I have what I believe, and so do judges and my friends, my first real chance of being a winner at Westminster. I will be looking for someone to help me get this dog to Westminster. $20,000, not much money for a beloved pet and show dog!