In a distressing turn of events, a Golden Retriever named Joca died after being mistakenly loaded onto the wrong flight by GOL Airlines. The dog was supposed to travel with his owner, João Fantazzini, from Guarulhos to Sinop, Mato Grosso, but was instead dispatched to Fortaleza.
Upon arrival in Sinop, Fantazzini was informed that Joca had ended up 2,082 kilometers away in Ceará. Airline staff in Fortaleza provided video evidence of Joca being cared for, showing him drinking water provided by GOL employees.
The airline arranged for Joca to be returned to Guarulhos (GRU) and then forwarded to Mato Grosso. Fantazzini also returned to Guarulhos to reunite with Joca. However, upon reaching São Paulo and approaching Joca’s kennel, he discovered the dog unresponsive. A veterinary examination confirmed that Joca had suffered a cardiopulmonary arrest, though the specific causes remain unclear.
GOL Airlines issued the following statement: “GOL deeply regrets the incident with Joca and empathizes with his owner’s grief. Joca was supposed to be transported to Sinop (OPS) on flight 1480 on April 22 from Guarulhos (GRU), but due to an operational error, he was placed on a flight to Fortaleza (FOR). As soon as the owner arrived in Sinop, we notified him of the situation and he chose to return to Guarulhos (GRU) to reunite with Joca.”
“The GOLLOG team in Ceará’s capital took care of Joca until he boarded flight 1527 back to Guarulhos (GRU). We kept the owner updated during this time. Unfortunately, shortly after the flight landed at Guarulhos Airport from Fortaleza, we were stunned by the news of the animal’s death. The company is providing all necessary support to the owner and is conducting a thorough investigation into the details of the incident with the highest priority. We sympathize with the owner’s suffering and profoundly regret the loss of his pet.”
Why Joca Was Transported in the Cargo Hold
According to international regulations, any large dog that cannot be placed under the front seat of the responsible passenger must travel in a suitable transport crate in the cargo hold. Weighing 47 kilograms, Joca was considered a large dog and thus was placed in the hold, a common practice in commercial aviation. This section is monitored by the crew to provide water and food.
In light of recent events, including the disappearance of another dog named Pandora during a connection at Guarulhos Airport in 2021, GOL has suspended the embarkation of animals in the cargo hold for 30 days from April 24 to May 23, pending investigation completion. During this period, customers who have booked pet transport can opt for a full refund, including ticket costs for Dog&Cat + Space, or reschedule their travel at no additional cost until December 31, 2024.
