Sheep Dog Who Heeds Only French Eludes Searchers at Chicago Airport

Police, airline workers and a volunteer animal trainer searched the vicinity of the world’s busiest airport Friday for Korsair, a $10,000 Belgian sheep dog that responds only to commands spoken in French.

Korsair, a highly trained 3-year-old Belgian Malinois known for his leaping ability, was last seen Monday scampering across Runway 14 at O’Hare International Airport near a hangar after he bolted from his open transfer cage and hopped off a luggage cart.

Korsair’s breakout occurred as he was being transferred by United Airlines employees from a San Francisco flight to one bound for Lansing, Mich., authorities said. His owner, Daniel Paul, flew on to Lansing unaware that his dog had escaped.

Paul, a native of France, said he was upset that the airline waited five hours to contact him about his pet’s disappearance.

As Korsair sped across taxiways, United Airlines workers scurried after him, shouting, but to no avail, since the dog understands only French commands.