PHOENIX (March 17, 2013)--An English Springer Spaniel named Hendrix ended up in Ireland on his way from New Jersey to Phoenix this week after cargo handlers put him on the wrong plane.

United Airlines spokeswoman Megan McCarthy said the 6-year-old dog was traveling in cargo Thursday when the mix-up happened.

When the error was discovered, she said the airline took immediate steps to get Hendrix back to his owner.

The first word owner Meredith Grant got about the mix-up was in a phone call from the airline before Hendrix's original flight was supposed to land in Phoenix.

Grant said she felt like someone punched her in the stomach after finding out her dog was sent overseas.

Hendrix was returned, and the airline apologized and offered a full refund.