October 2007 Airline Pet Travel Report

Alaska Airlines reports the loss of one cat and the death of another. A 5-year-old cat escaped from its kennel during loading in San Francisco, CA on August, 4th. The cat was not captured and no information on how it escaped was given. On August 27th a cat was found deceased upon arrival in Seattle, WA from Anchorage, AK. It was stated that the cat died of natural causes and all procedures were followed.

American Airlines reported the death of a French bulldog on August 2nd. The dog was found deceased upon arrival in Dallas, from Honolulu, HI. American stated that the necropsy results were inconclusive and that other animals traveling in the same cargo hold arrived safely.

Continental reports three deaths during the month of August. On August 11th, a Pekingese was found deceased in it's create upon arrival into Portland from Houston. The necropsy did not indicate any cause of death, though it did note "non-specific findings are indicative of cardiopulmonary collapse or hypoxia" more susceptible to dogs belonging to the brachycephalic breeds. Three other animals arrived safe on the same flight. On August 13th, a two-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier was found deceased upon arrival in Abilene, TX after a short 1 hour 15 minute flight from Houston. The necropsy indicated that the animal overheated and might be related to the dog being 'in season'. Also on August 13th a 7 year-old cat was found deceased upon arrival in Los Angeles. The cat, along with a second family cat flew from Washington DC, through Houston to LAX. The other cat along with two other animals on the same flight arrived safe. The necropsy states "presumably feline asthma was the primary underlying cause of death".

Delta Airlines reports the loss of a cat that escaped its kennel while being loaded in Los Angeles. The kennel that was being used to transport the cat was not approved for airline use and this was not noticed by the Delta agent accepting the cat. The Air Travel Consumer Report incorrectly lists this incident as a death.