Cat missing at Chicago airport

CHICAGO, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- An American Airlines spokeswoman at Chicago's O'Hare Airport said there has been no sign of a cat that made a break for freedom at the terminal.

Basil, a 1-year-old tabby, went on the run July 30 as his owner, Shelly-Marie Rios, was traveling from Detroit to Austin, Texas, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Friday. Another cat, Jasper, also tried to run but was foiled by airline employees.

"As our ramp worker was literally picking up the handle of the kennel to put the cage in the belly of the aircraft, the bottom fell out," said American Airlines spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan. "One cat went one way, the other went the other way," she said. "We were able to retrieve one of the two animals very quickly."

Fagan said the incident was a rare occurrence.

"There are a lot of nooks and crannies on the ramp level where a house cat may try to tuck himself in and stay out of the way," Fagan said to the Sun-Times. "Please understand, we have a lot of people looking for this cat. There are a lot of lovers of animals looking."