Dog flown to Saudi Arabia instead of Tennessee during couple’s move to US, they say

A couple who moved recently from the U.K. to the U.S. said they arrived in Nashville only to find that their beloved rescue dog, Bluebell, had been mistakenly put on a flight to Saudi Arabia.

Madison and James Miller booked Bluebell on a Dec. 1 British Airways flight from London to Tennessee, but when they went to pick her up, airport staff told them she’d been loaded onto a flight to Riyadh, according to NPR.

It took more than 63 hours and three flights to get Bluebell back home, according to WSMV.

The airline’s cargo partner company, IAG Cargo, apologized for the error in a statement to McClatchy News.

“We take the responsibility of caring for people’s loved animals seriously and are investigating how the redirection happened,” the statement says. “Whilst Bluebell’s route was longer than it should have been, we ensured she was on the first flight back to Nashville from London Heathrow. During her time with us she received refreshments frequently and had time outside to stretch her legs – including regular walks and eight hours with the team at the Heathrow Animal Reception centre who cared for her.”

But the Millers told the UK Mirror that Bluebell hasn’t been the same since she’s been home.

The dog has been acting traumatized and damaged parts of their home in fits of anxiety.

“We did everything right moving Bluebell to America with us, and it’s been an absolute nightmare,” James Miller told the Mirror. “The first time we tried to leave her at home alone after the ordeal she ripped through her kennel in the first 10 minutes… It’s breaking our hearts.”

The Millers could not be reached for comment.

The couple has asked British Airways for about $9,810 in compensation costs, including for Bluebell’s behavioral therapy, anti-anxiety medication and replacement of items she’s damaged, including a crate and a door, according to NPR. The couple told the outlet that, so far, the airline had only offered them “50,000 frequent flier miles.”

British Airways forwarded a request for comment from McClatchy News to IAG Cargo. A spokeswoman said in a statement that the company took steps to try to make Bluebell’s journey home as comfortable as possible after the error.

“Despite these measures, we understand that this has been an upsetting situation for Bluebell and her owners, and remain in contact with them to resolve the situation,” the statement says.

This story was originally published December 20, 2022 at 11:36 AM with the headline "Dog flown to Saudi Arabia instead of Tennessee during couple’s move to US, they say."