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Stray Dogs Close Piarco Runway, Causing Flight Delays and Diversions

Dogs take over the runway, grounding flights. The incident shines a light on Trinidad's stray animal problem.

In this image in the middle there are two dogs looking at someone also there are many leaves on the...
In this image in the middle there are two dogs looking at someone also there are many leaves on the ground.

Stray Dogs Close Piarco Runway, Causing Flight Delays and Diversions

Piarco International Airport in Trinidad faced a unique challenge on the morning of July 13, as stray dogs temporarily closed the runway, causing delays and diversions for numerous flights. The incident, which lasted over an hour, highlighted the ongoing issue of stray animal populations in the country.

The closure affected several regional and international flights, with a cargo flight destined for Trinidad diverted to Barbados. A domestic flight from Tobago was also forced to circle for over 30 minutes before returning to its origin due to the lack of clearance. Airport employees worked diligently to clear the runway, eventually resuming flights.

Social media users responded to the incident with a mix of concern and humour, sharing memes and jokes about the unusual cause of the delay. The incident has raised concerns about the abundance of stray animals in Trinidad and Tobago, with the Trinidad and Tobago Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TTSPCA) taking in over 4,000 strays annually.

Non-profit organizations in Trinidad and Tobago offer spaying and neutering services to help control the stray animal population. However, the issue of animal abandonments has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to the growing number of strays. The recent incident at Piarco International Airport serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing this ongoing problem.

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