In a devastating turn of events, João Fantazzini experienced every pet owner’s worst nightmare.
He discovered that his beloved dog, Joca, had died during a flight mishap.
The tragedy unfolded at an airport terminal, where João received heartbreaking news.
He learned that his five-year-old Golden Retriever, who was meant to be his emotional support, had perished.
The dog’s death was caused by a series of errors made by Gol Airlines
A journey gone wrong
João had arranged for Joca to fly from São Paulo to Sinop, a city in the west-central Brazilian state of Mato Grosso.
The trip, which should have been straightforward, turned into a nightmare.
The airline mistakenly routed Joca to Fortaleza International Airport, over 1,600 km away
During the mix-up, Joca endured a grueling three-and-a-half-hour flight to Fortaleza. He then faced a 90-minute wait on the scorching runway.
After being rerouted back to São Paulo, Joca spent another three-and-a-half hours in the air without water.
Upon landing, João was informed that his dog had fallen ill due to the airline’s error.
Tragically, by the time João reached Joca, the dog had already passed away from cardiac arrest.
A heartbroken owner’s grief
The loss left João devastated, and he took to Instagram to express his sorrow.
He described Joca as ‘the love of my life’ and mourned their lost daily routines. From feeding Joca apples to taking him for swims, those moments will be deeply missed
His emotional post highlighted the deep bond they shared.
He wrote in Instagram post, “My love was murdered, my best choice, love of my life. You were very young!!
“I remember the day I got you and our connection was momentary! My son, forgive me for being selfish in wanting you by my side!”
He emotionally concluded: “You are the love of my life forever! I will miss you daily! I miss giving you your apple every morning, taking you to the pool and taking care of yourself daily! Thank you for everything my friend!”.
Airline response and public outcry
Gol Airlines issued a statement acknowledging the “operational failure” that led to Joca’s death.
They expressed their condolences to João and his family. They also promised to investigate the incident thoroughly.
They state: “The Company is offering all necessary support to the tutor and his family from the outset. The investigation of the details of what happened is being carried out with total priority by our team.”
In response to the tragedy, the airline suspended the transportation of animals in the cargo hold. Pets are now allowed to travel in the cabin with their owners instead.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage in Brazil.
The country’s Ports and Airports Ministry and the National Civil Aviation Agency have launched an investigation. They are examining the circumstances surrounding the tragic event
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva addressed the tragedy during a press conference.
He emphasized the need for accountability and better regulations.
His comments highlighted the urgency of preventing such incidents in the future.
After the incident, the investigation continues.
João Fantazzini and many others hope stricter measures will be implemented to ensure the safety and well-being of pets during air travel.
