November 2006 Airline Pet Travel Report

ATA reported the loss of a cat on a flight to Honolulu. This is the second loss in as many months that can be attributed to Worldwide Flight Services, a company that handles moving cargo and baggage on the ground.

The death that Continental reported was of a Boston Terrier that was found deceased upon arrival to Albuquerque, New Mexico. A necropsy was performed and listed swelling of the stomach, death by agitation, subsequent hyperventilation and hypoxia as the likely cause of death. This is another case where the stress of the travel seems related to the death.

Midwest Air had two incidents, the first was an injury of a Golden Retriever. The owner was notified before the flight of blood in the kennel. The owner insisted that the dog was flight worthy and it was put on the plane. Upon arrival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin more blood was discovered on the dog and inside the container for the dog clawing to get out. Midwest Air listed that they plan to revise policies and deny boarding to any pet if blood is seen. Good for them. The death also involved a Golden Retriever who was found deceased upon arrival in Kansas City, Missouri. While discussing this with the passenger, it was learned that on a flight from Panama City, Panama to Miami 3 days earlier, baggage fell on the animal's container causing it to fail and allowing the animal to run free in the aircraft baggage compartment. The animal was held for observation for 2 days and then cleared for transport by a veterinarian. Passenger provided 2 tranquilizers to the animal prior to departure from Fort Lauderdale.

A reminder than very few vets suggest the use of tranquilizers while shipping a pet by air and some airlines will not transport a pet that has been tranquilized.