A dog has been left "traumatised" and needing medication after she was accidentally flown to Saudi Arabia, her owners claim.
Bluebell was taken 7,000 miles away from her intended destination by IAG Cargo on British Airways flights on December 1, who had loaded her onto the wrong plane.
After hours of fearing she was lost for good or had been harmed in transit, Bluebell's owners tracked the five-year-old rescue down in Riyadh.
She was eventually flown back to London Heathrow and then on to Nashville, USA, spending a total of 60 hours in cargo.
Owners Madison and James Miller claim Bluebell has been "traumatised" by the ordeal and has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to their home since returning to them.
“We simply cannot leave her alone,” James, a 27-year old Brit, said.
"We did everything right moving Bluebell to America with us, and it’s been an absolute nightmare. The first time we tried to leave her at home alone after the ordeal she ripped through her kennel in the first 10 minutes.
"The next time she chewed through a wooden door crying the whole time. So now we can’t leave her - she could harm herself. Being apart from us is too traumatic for her.
“We’re working closely with a vet team and behaviourist to help calm her anxiety, and she’s on anxiety medication three times a day. But we don’t know if she’ll ever be the same. It’s breaking our hearts.”
Madison and James had spent a lot of time preparing for the relocation with Bluebell to the US, and say they paid top dollar to ensure her trip was as smooth as possible.
They only realised something had gone wrong when they arrived in the US and went to the pick-up point to collect her.
Aviation officials told the couple that Bluebell had not arrived and, they later discovered, had been
"They were unwilling to fly Bluebell directly back to her family in Nashville," Madison claimed, adding that Bluebell instead "endured three long-haul international flights".
She added: "We asked for signs of life because at first they didn't know if it was her in Saudi Arabia.
"It was hell on earth. She's family. The absolute horror that I felt, I can't put it into words. I was so worried she was going to die in transit or I'd never been able to find her again."
While Bluebell eventually made it back to Madison and James, they say the "real hell" began following their reunion.
"It's been a 24/7 ordeal, she cries in the night and during the day," Madison continued. "It has broken our hearts as her parents. She is our family and we let her down.
"We've paid $3,000 (£2,460) dollars for a behaviourist, and she takes anxiety medication three times a day. I'm afraid of the costs of this. They'll be wracking up hard and fast."
The couple are also having to fork out for a new door, crate and backpack after Bluebell destroyed them in a fit of anxiety.
"I don't know when this nightmare will end for us," she said.
An IAG Cargo spokesperson said: “We are very sorry for the recent error that occurred during Bluebell’s trip to Nashville.
"We can confirm that she was on the first flight back and that every dog that travels long-haul with transfers will be checked and their water bowls replenished.
"At London-Heathrow the team at Heathrow Animal Reception Centre cared for Bluebell, allowing her to stretch her legs, and receive refreshments prior to her onward journey home.
“We take the responsibility of caring for people’s loved animals seriously and remain in regular contact with the owners.”
