Pup Lost At Airport Jumps Into Owner's Arms After Hearing Voice

ATLANTA, GA -- After being lost for three days at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, a prize-winning pup was happily reunited with her former owner in what was called "a very moving way."

A full-bred American Staffordshire terrier, Gale, was on her way home, back to Amsterdam, when her handlers were told she went missing. She was traveling through Atlanta after a dog show in Kentucky.

After three days of wandering the airport air field, Gayle was found in the Rock Quarry basin. Airport wildlife biologists who were searching spotted her on Sunday and again on Monday in that area of the basin. The biologists think she likely went there to get away from the noise and to be near water.

The airline arranged for Gayle’s former owner to come to Atlanta to also assist. He was screened by airport security and escorted to the basin area where he called for the dog. It took about 15 minutes for her to respond, but she recognized his voice and came out of the brush to meet him.

"Our biologists say it was a very moving reunion as Gayle jumped into the arms of her former owner," said Elise Durham, director, Office of Policy and Communications for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The three-day search was a coordinated effort between Atlanta’s wildlife biologists and airport partners, including Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM, Customs and Border Protection and Air Traffic Control.

Gale has been turned over to officials at KLM, and is now on her way back to Amsterdam.

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