Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

United Airlines admits responsibility for dog death
A French bulldog (not pictured) died during a flight from Houston to New York on Monday.
French bulldog died during flight from Houston to New York

United Airlines has admitted “full responsibility” for the death of a French bulldog that was put in an overhead locker.

Speaking to CNN, a spokesperson for the airline called the death of the dog a “tragic accident” and that the flight attendant should never have told the passenger to put the dog in the locker.

"We assume full responsibility for this tragedy and express our deepest condolences to the family and are committed to supporting them," the airline said in a statement. "We are thoroughly investigating what occurred to prevent this from ever happening again."

Reports emerged on Tuesday that the dog died during a flight from Houston to New York’s LaGuardia airport. Eyewitnesses said the dog’s owner was asked by a flight attendant to put the dog in the overhead locker before take-off, and that the owner had reluctantly agreed.

One passenger told The Independent that the dog could be heard barking during takeoff and during some turbulence, before falling silent. The flight attendant has since said that she did not hear or understand the passenger, and “did not knowingly place the dog in the locker”.

United Airlines allows domestic cats, dogs rabbits and household birds - except cockatoos - to travel accompanied inside the aircraft on most internal US flights. Under current rules, pets must be carried in an approved kennel that must fit completely under the seat of the passenger and remain there at all times.

The airline said that, to prevent the problem happening again, it will start to issue bright-coloured bag tags to customers travelling with in-cabin pets.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.