United Airlines admits responsibility for dog death
A French bulldog (not pictured) died during a flight from Houston to New York on Monday.
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.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
