September 2014 Airline Pet Travel Report

Alaska Airlines reports the injury of a two year-old Pit Bull who chewed through its kennel and escaped into the cargo hold. The dog's mouth was injured but was otherwise unharmed. A two year-old English Bulldog named Chubs arrived deceased in Seattle, WA on a flight from New Orleans, LA. Another Bulldog traveling on the same flight arrived safe.
Alaska Airlines also reports the death of a 14 year-old cat named Daunte. During loading the kennel fell off a baggage cart and Daunte was able to escape. He was found deceased the next morning, with the likely cause of death being struck by a vehicle on the ramp.

Delta reports the death of a bird in Baltimore, MD after a flight from Salt Lake City, UT. The bird was alive and active when it was removed from the plane, but died while waiting to be picked up. No additional information was available.

United Airlines reports the injury of two dogs and the death of two dogs. A 7 year-old Husky named Bo was unable to stand after a flight from Honolulu, HI to Orlando, FL, connecting through San Francisco, CA. Bo was seen by a vet and released to his owners. It was believed that a pre-existing condition of arthritis was aggravated by the long journey.
A nine year-old Dachshund named Kloe has a self-inflicted injury from trying to escape her kennel. She was treated by a local veterinarian for a damaged tooth, returned to the carrier, and then continued and completed journey to final destination where she was released in good condition.
A nine year-old Boston Terrier named Diego arrived deceased in Indianapolis, IN from a flight originating in Honolulu, HI and connecting in Houston, TX. Boston Terriers of this age and weight are currently restricted by United. However, United Airlines reserved and accepted the animal for transportation. United offered to provide a necropsy to clarify the cause of death but it has not been provided at this time.
A two year-old Great Dane Mix named Blue Loko traveling from Raleigh Durham, NC to Las Angeles, CA arrived deceased in LAs Angeles. A necropsy was performed and the cause of death determined to be Gastric Dilation, commonly referred to as “bloat”; combined with strong evidence of a degree of heart failure, possibly caused by the bloat combined with a pre-existing heart condition.