A runaway dog caused an unusual disruption at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, leading to the closure of two runways and a nine-day search. The dog, named Amalka, slipped out of her carrier on November 19 during an unloading operation, prompting an intense effort to locate her across the sprawling airport.
Owned by an Austrian tourist flying from Vienna with Air France, Amalka’s escape triggered multiple search parties, some conducted at night and involving her distressed owner, Míša. Posters were put up to alert airport staff, while Air France covered Míša’s hotel stay near the airport. “I have ADHD, and Amalka is my emotional support dog,” Míša told French publication Le Parisien. “In situations like this, she’s usually there for me.”
The search took a turn on Tuesday when airport police deployed a drone to locate the dog, necessitating the temporary closure of two runways. The operation was strategically scheduled during off-peak hours to minimise disruptions. Charles de Gaulle Airport, one of Europe’s busiest, managed to avoid impacting scheduled flights during the search.
The escape likely occurred when turbulence during the flight loosened Amalka’s crate door, according to reports. The dog was spotted multiple times during the search but proved elusive. Officials initially planned to use a tranquiliser to capture her.
Amalka was finally found in a park in Dammartin-en-Goële, a town near the airport, after nine days at large. A video shared by Le Parisien captured the emotional reunion between the dog and her owner, with Amalka wagging her tail excitedly as Míša hugged her.
“After several days of intense searches, we are delighted to confirm that Amalka has been found and returned to her owner,” Air France said in a statement, adding that both would soon travel to their final destination.