June 2012 Airline Pet Travel Report

American Airlines reports the death of a dog named Toby. Toby was found deceased while unloading in Dallas, TX from Honolulu, HI. A necropsy was performed and it was revealed that the dog had a pre-existing condition and that a “Tracheal Collapse”, along with the kennel being too small for the pet, was the cause of death. American noted that the agent who accepted Toby in Honolulu will be counseled on checked pet procedures and the acceptance of kennels.

Delta reports the death of a 2 year-old Labrador Retriever named Mocha. Mocha was traveling from Monrovia, Liberia via Accra, Ghana to Atlanta, Georgia. Upon unloading in Atlanta Mocha was found deceased. A necropsy of the pet indicated she died of heat stroke. Delta reports that Mocha was in apparent good condition prior to departure from Monrovia Liberia. The flight crew advised the heat/cooling controls were properly set. There were no indications of a mechanical malfunction during the flight. A check of the bin heating system by mechanics found the system is working properly.

Delta also reports the first death of a rabbit. Upon arrival in Atlanta, GA from Munich, Germany a 2 year-old Mixed Holland Lop and Rex Rabbit was found deceased. A necropsy of the rabbit indicated the cause of death was a pre-existing medical condition.

American also included the report of a dog that occurred in January 2012. This should have been included in the March 2012 report. American accepted a snap-together kennel in Newark, NJ. During unloading at Dallas, TX the kennel broke apart and a dog named Cup Cake escaped and was killed on an active runway.