Delta Airlines loses a passenger's dog, offers $200 credit

Ty RamanoWFTV Facebook

Frank Ramano is devastated over the loss of his beloved dog, Ty.

Ty was in a crate in the cargo section of a plane headed to Tampa from Los Angeles on Oct. 31, but never arrived in Florida.

Delta Airlines told Ramano that the dog chewed through his crate and made it onto the tarmac. It is unclear where Ty went from there, and LAX employees continue to search for the missing animal.

Ramano does not believe the airline's description of the events leading to Ty's disappearance, and was offended by the $200 credit offered to compensate him for his loss.

"To me it sounds like they don't care," he told 10 News. "They sound like they lost a piece of baggage. No. He's family. He's like my best friend. He's another part of our family."

Ramano was homeless when he adopted Ty last year.

"He was like a big anxiety pill," he explained. "He would help me through the rough times."

Allegedly, a Delta employee called Ramano and said that Ty had arrived at Tampa International Airport, although the company's baggage department confirmed that the dog never arrived in Tampa.

"I have a feeling someone stole him or something. This is a fishy story," Ramano said. "I have no clue how they could just lose a pet like that... I'm not going to fly Delta Airlines ever again after this happened. I don't trust Delta."

Despite the heartbreaking circumstances, Ramano is still hopeful that his microchipped dog will be returned to him. "I just want him home safe. I just want him back. I just want to be reunited with Ty again."

Delta Airlines told 10 News that they regret that Ty disappeared while in their care.