This was posted today on a message board for people who show cats. I received permission to post it here.
Thought all the animal lovers here would be interested in the update on the Whippet missing at JFK Airport after the Westminster show last week.
In a message dated 2/21/2006 1:00:17 A.M. Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
TX-RPOA E-News
From Responsible Pet Owners Alliance,
the reasonable voice regarding animal issues in Texas.
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance is an animal welfare organization,
not "animal rights" and, yes, there is a difference.
Permission granted to crosspost.
TX-RPOA E-News
Monday, February 20, 2006
The message below is from "Vivi's" owner to correct misinformation
circulating via the Internet. "Vivi" escaped her crate somehow at the
Airport when heading home from the Westminster Dog Show.
********************************************
UPDATE ON THE SEARCH FOR VIVI
Following is an update on the search for Vivi, the Whippet who was lost at
JFK Airport on Wednesday morning, Feb. 15. As of Saturday evening there is
still no confirmed sighting, but the search continues with assistance from
the Port Authority, Animal Control and many concerned helpers.
Since much incorrect and contradictory information has circulated over the
internet and in the media we want to establish the actual sequence of
events. I am sorry this is so long but for my peace of mind want to get it
all on record.
Vivi's owner Jil Walton and her sister checked Vivi in at the Delta terminal
at JFK approx. 9:45 AM on Wednesday morning. She was travelling in her usual
crate in which she has flown many times before; it has a security bar across
the gate (which I find difficult to open even under normal circumstances).
As all who know her are aware, Vivi is totally unfazed by flying and loves
her crate. As far as is known nothing extraordinary occurred during the
check-in. Vivi was wearing a dark brown/black woollen coat and a broad
collar with Jil's phone number.
When Jil and her sister boarded the plane they saw the crate being loaded.
They then noticed a baggage handler peering into the crate as if he were
looking for something; a few minutes later the stewardess came up to Jil and
told her the crate was empty. Jil and Jamie immediately disembarked and were
told that Vivi had escaped from her crate at some point between check-in and
departure. No one appeared to know exactly what had happened.
We do not believe that any airline employee would deliberately open the
crate door, and even if they did Vivi most likely would stay in her crate. I
am personally convinced that the crate must have been dropped hard enough
for the gate to open and for Vivi to be startled enough to get out. We will
most likely never find out what happened. The crate has been returned and
appears undamaged except for the broken spring lock.)
Vivi was spotted on the runway by Port Authority officials, who tried to
catch her. She was obviously disoriented and took off at top speed, followed
by several Port Authority vehicles. At one point they managed to corner her,
and the officer who approached her (in the correct manner, kneeling down and
talking to her) said she was obviously panicked and only responded by
escaping him. She was last seen getting through the barbed wire fence which
separates the airport from the marsh and open water. This would have been
any time after check-in but prior to Jil being informed that Vivi was lost.
When Paul and I arrived, after having received a phone call on our way to
the airport approx. 3:00 PM, the airport authorities had already escorted
Jil and Jamie on a search around the entire airport, with special emphasis
on the area where she was last seen. They were joined on different locations
by several other Port Authority vehicles and helicopters. The airport
consists of 4900 acres of almost completely flat land with only two small
areas of dense brush and trees. Our fear is that Vivi in her panic got too
far out into the water to get back; a Port Authority official searched the
marsh in a wetsuit without finding anything.
Searches of the areas immediately outside the airport during the afternoon
and evening proved fruitless. We had good help from Animal Control
officials, friends and the media, who broadcast the disappearance and Vivi's
photograph more widely than we could ever have hoped for. The following day
Jil, Jamie, Paul and I - in different groups - were all given permission to
search the airport, accompanied by Port Authority officials. We found no new
tracks in the snow, which by then was already melting: the weather
fortunately has been exceptionally mild for New York in February this week.
Several other vehicles and helicopters were also searching.
A large number of dog lovers and friends, some in groups, helped by
searching the areas around the airport and passing out flyers. By this time
the media coverage had been so extensive that almost everyone we talked to
was aware of the lost Whippet. We gave as many interviews as possible in the
hope that someone might recognize Vivi if they saw her.
One brief hope on Friday morning was a report that Vivi had been sighted at
2:00 AM close to a construction site outside the airport. Since no later
sightings have confirmed the first one we believe it must either be
discounted (dozens of other "reported sightings" turned out to be the wrong
dog; Animal Control gets around 700 calls per day), or that Vivi is hiding
in the residential area nearby, perhaps in a garage or a shed. I spoke to
the woman who reported the sighting and she gave a good description of Vivi,
but by this time her photo had appeared in most of the NY newspapers and on
TV.
Paul and Honi Reisman once again gained access to the airport, with special
attention to the areas where Vivi might be hiding, all of which are highly
restricted and normally off limits to anyone except police and
specific airport employees. Traps have been set up in different areas,
inside the airport by the Port Authority and outside by Animal Control. I
accompanied a local journalist for several hours cruising the streets where
Vivi may have been sighted and asked road crews, gas station attendants and
people with dogs if they had seen her. Everyone knew about Vivi but none had
seen her.
With Paul staying behind, I left late Friday and got back to California at
2:00 AM to take care of my dogs and try to deal with some work, as well as
several hundred emails, faxes and phone messages from concerned dog
lovers. Paul, together with Honi Reisman, who is providing invaluable
support, have been given permission to search the cargo hangars which are
the most likely areas Vivi might be hiding. Several psychics who have
offered their assistance agree that she is hiding behind what seems to be
cargo, that she is safe but very afraid. There are approx. 150 of these
cargo hangars, many of them abandoned, but all of them heated, and most with
openings which would make it easy for Vivi to get in and out. She can hide
there for a long time. There is no shortage of water but we hope she will
soon get hungry enough to let herself be spotted and eventually caught.
One very promising fact is that the airport radar spotted a solid body
moving across the runways towards the cargo hangars during the night. A Port
Authority vehice was investigating within minutes but did not find anything.
This appears to support our hope that Vivi may be hiding in the cargo
hangars, however.
We want everyone to know that the search in spite of reports to the contrary
continues unabated, both via helicopter and patrolled cars. (The perimeter
of the airport, included 21 miles of waterfront, is
circumnavigated non-stop every few minutes 24 hours every day of the year.)
The Port Authorities have been exceptionally helpful, granting unique access
for us to search the airport: this is not easily given, and never to more
than two persons at one time. Since 9/11 airport security has tightened a
lot, and although we wish that admittance could be given for Search and
Rescue teams, other whippets or even horses (since Vivi spends most days in
a horse barn), we have to realize that this will not be granted for security
reasons. The Search and Rescue dogs were also called off since the lack of
tracks in the water which covers most of the airport would make their job
impossible.
I am hoping to get back to New York early next week, depending on the
developments. This is a hellish situation which I don't want anyone to ever
have to experience. My only comforts have been my dogs and the wonderful
support we have been given by everyone, both friends and unknow dog lovers.
On behalf of Vivi's owners, Jil and Paul, I want to thank all of you for
your help and kindness in these trying days. Vivi is lucky to have so many
people who care for her. I hope somehow that she can feel it, wheverever she
is. We are still hoping that there will be a happy ending and will keep you
informed as far as possible. I will try to get back to everyone who has
written personally when I can, but that will take some time.
I hope the above makes sense. My mind is not functioning really well right
now.
Again, thank you.
Bo Bengtson
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
900 NE Loop 410 #205-D
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: (210) 822-6763
Fax: (210) 822-9038
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.responsiblepetowners.org
Thought all the animal lovers here would be interested in the update on the Whippet missing at JFK Airport after the Westminster show last week.
In a message dated 2/21/2006 1:00:17 A.M. Central Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
TX-RPOA E-News
From Responsible Pet Owners Alliance,
the reasonable voice regarding animal issues in Texas.
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance is an animal welfare organization,
not "animal rights" and, yes, there is a difference.
Permission granted to crosspost.
TX-RPOA E-News
Monday, February 20, 2006
The message below is from "Vivi's" owner to correct misinformation
circulating via the Internet. "Vivi" escaped her crate somehow at the
Airport when heading home from the Westminster Dog Show.
********************************************
UPDATE ON THE SEARCH FOR VIVI
Following is an update on the search for Vivi, the Whippet who was lost at
JFK Airport on Wednesday morning, Feb. 15. As of Saturday evening there is
still no confirmed sighting, but the search continues with assistance from
the Port Authority, Animal Control and many concerned helpers.
Since much incorrect and contradictory information has circulated over the
internet and in the media we want to establish the actual sequence of
events. I am sorry this is so long but for my peace of mind want to get it
all on record.
Vivi's owner Jil Walton and her sister checked Vivi in at the Delta terminal
at JFK approx. 9:45 AM on Wednesday morning. She was travelling in her usual
crate in which she has flown many times before; it has a security bar across
the gate (which I find difficult to open even under normal circumstances).
As all who know her are aware, Vivi is totally unfazed by flying and loves
her crate. As far as is known nothing extraordinary occurred during the
check-in. Vivi was wearing a dark brown/black woollen coat and a broad
collar with Jil's phone number.
When Jil and her sister boarded the plane they saw the crate being loaded.
They then noticed a baggage handler peering into the crate as if he were
looking for something; a few minutes later the stewardess came up to Jil and
told her the crate was empty. Jil and Jamie immediately disembarked and were
told that Vivi had escaped from her crate at some point between check-in and
departure. No one appeared to know exactly what had happened.
We do not believe that any airline employee would deliberately open the
crate door, and even if they did Vivi most likely would stay in her crate. I
am personally convinced that the crate must have been dropped hard enough
for the gate to open and for Vivi to be startled enough to get out. We will
most likely never find out what happened. The crate has been returned and
appears undamaged except for the broken spring lock.)
Vivi was spotted on the runway by Port Authority officials, who tried to
catch her. She was obviously disoriented and took off at top speed, followed
by several Port Authority vehicles. At one point they managed to corner her,
and the officer who approached her (in the correct manner, kneeling down and
talking to her) said she was obviously panicked and only responded by
escaping him. She was last seen getting through the barbed wire fence which
separates the airport from the marsh and open water. This would have been
any time after check-in but prior to Jil being informed that Vivi was lost.
When Paul and I arrived, after having received a phone call on our way to
the airport approx. 3:00 PM, the airport authorities had already escorted
Jil and Jamie on a search around the entire airport, with special emphasis
on the area where she was last seen. They were joined on different locations
by several other Port Authority vehicles and helicopters. The airport
consists of 4900 acres of almost completely flat land with only two small
areas of dense brush and trees. Our fear is that Vivi in her panic got too
far out into the water to get back; a Port Authority official searched the
marsh in a wetsuit without finding anything.
Searches of the areas immediately outside the airport during the afternoon
and evening proved fruitless. We had good help from Animal Control
officials, friends and the media, who broadcast the disappearance and Vivi's
photograph more widely than we could ever have hoped for. The following day
Jil, Jamie, Paul and I - in different groups - were all given permission to
search the airport, accompanied by Port Authority officials. We found no new
tracks in the snow, which by then was already melting: the weather
fortunately has been exceptionally mild for New York in February this week.
Several other vehicles and helicopters were also searching.
A large number of dog lovers and friends, some in groups, helped by
searching the areas around the airport and passing out flyers. By this time
the media coverage had been so extensive that almost everyone we talked to
was aware of the lost Whippet. We gave as many interviews as possible in the
hope that someone might recognize Vivi if they saw her.
One brief hope on Friday morning was a report that Vivi had been sighted at
2:00 AM close to a construction site outside the airport. Since no later
sightings have confirmed the first one we believe it must either be
discounted (dozens of other "reported sightings" turned out to be the wrong
dog; Animal Control gets around 700 calls per day), or that Vivi is hiding
in the residential area nearby, perhaps in a garage or a shed. I spoke to
the woman who reported the sighting and she gave a good description of Vivi,
but by this time her photo had appeared in most of the NY newspapers and on
TV.
Paul and Honi Reisman once again gained access to the airport, with special
attention to the areas where Vivi might be hiding, all of which are highly
restricted and normally off limits to anyone except police and
specific airport employees. Traps have been set up in different areas,
inside the airport by the Port Authority and outside by Animal Control. I
accompanied a local journalist for several hours cruising the streets where
Vivi may have been sighted and asked road crews, gas station attendants and
people with dogs if they had seen her. Everyone knew about Vivi but none had
seen her.
With Paul staying behind, I left late Friday and got back to California at
2:00 AM to take care of my dogs and try to deal with some work, as well as
several hundred emails, faxes and phone messages from concerned dog
lovers. Paul, together with Honi Reisman, who is providing invaluable
support, have been given permission to search the cargo hangars which are
the most likely areas Vivi might be hiding. Several psychics who have
offered their assistance agree that she is hiding behind what seems to be
cargo, that she is safe but very afraid. There are approx. 150 of these
cargo hangars, many of them abandoned, but all of them heated, and most with
openings which would make it easy for Vivi to get in and out. She can hide
there for a long time. There is no shortage of water but we hope she will
soon get hungry enough to let herself be spotted and eventually caught.
One very promising fact is that the airport radar spotted a solid body
moving across the runways towards the cargo hangars during the night. A Port
Authority vehice was investigating within minutes but did not find anything.
This appears to support our hope that Vivi may be hiding in the cargo
hangars, however.
We want everyone to know that the search in spite of reports to the contrary
continues unabated, both via helicopter and patrolled cars. (The perimeter
of the airport, included 21 miles of waterfront, is
circumnavigated non-stop every few minutes 24 hours every day of the year.)
The Port Authorities have been exceptionally helpful, granting unique access
for us to search the airport: this is not easily given, and never to more
than two persons at one time. Since 9/11 airport security has tightened a
lot, and although we wish that admittance could be given for Search and
Rescue teams, other whippets or even horses (since Vivi spends most days in
a horse barn), we have to realize that this will not be granted for security
reasons. The Search and Rescue dogs were also called off since the lack of
tracks in the water which covers most of the airport would make their job
impossible.
I am hoping to get back to New York early next week, depending on the
developments. This is a hellish situation which I don't want anyone to ever
have to experience. My only comforts have been my dogs and the wonderful
support we have been given by everyone, both friends and unknow dog lovers.
On behalf of Vivi's owners, Jil and Paul, I want to thank all of you for
your help and kindness in these trying days. Vivi is lucky to have so many
people who care for her. I hope somehow that she can feel it, wheverever she
is. We are still hoping that there will be a happy ending and will keep you
informed as far as possible. I will try to get back to everyone who has
written personally when I can, but that will take some time.
I hope the above makes sense. My mind is not functioning really well right
now.
Again, thank you.
Bo Bengtson
Responsible Pet Owners Alliance
900 NE Loop 410 #205-D
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone: (210) 822-6763
Fax: (210) 822-9038
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.responsiblepetowners.org
