By Aldo Santin for Winnipeg Free Press

An Air Canada employee has lost his driving privileges at Winnipeg airport for seven days after he drove a service vehicle on to an active runway in a bid to catch a dog that had slipped out of its container.

He’s being disciplined, but the dog is alive and well.

Christine Alongi, spokeswoman for Winnipeg Airports Authority, said the Air Canada cargo handler violated airport procedures by driving the tug on to the runway.

“The driver did not have radio contact with the tower,” said Alongi. “He did not follow the processes.”

Union spokesman Lorne Hammerberg said three Air Canada employees saw the dog, jumped on to the tug and gave chase.

“Two of those guys jumped off before the tug drove on to the runway,” Hammerberg said.

The driver thought the dog posed a threat to aircraft when he continued his pursuit, said Hammerberg.

“I guess no good deed goes unpunished,” Hammerberg said.

Alongi said the dog did not pose a threat to aircraft and was later caught and returned to its container.

Alongi said the airport authority suspended the Air Canada employee’s vehicle operator’s permit; the individual will be retested once the suspension is served before he can drive in the terminal area again.

“We will want to make sure he understands the processes and procedures and the violation,” Alongi said.

Hammerberg said the employee was not disciplined and will not lose wages.