December 2012 Report

December 2012 Airline Pet Travel Report

Pet incidents for the month of October, 2012.

Alaska Airlines reports the escape and injury of an eight year-old American Bull Dog / Pit Bull Mix. Upon arrival in Chicago, IL the dog was found to be out of its kennel. It was able to escape the plane and was loose for over an hour before being captured. It appears that a TSA agent was the last to secure the kennel and neither the owner nor TSA had zip ties to secure the kennel door.

American Airlines reports the death of a dog named Rocco. Rocco was traveling with another dog in the same kennel who arrived safe. A necropsy was performed and the cause of death was not identified.

Horizon Air reports the injury of a cat on a flight from Seattle, WA to Bellingham, WA. Upon arrival in Bellingham it was found that luggage had fallen on the kennel and injured the cat. Horizon investigated the incident and indicated the the luggage and kennel were loaded and stowed correctly. Stating the turbulence was likely the cause of the issue. The cat was treated at a clinic and released.

Incidents by Airline

During October, 2012

Airline Losses Injuries Deaths
Alaska Airlines logo Alaska Airlines 0 1 0
American Airlines logo American Airlines 0 0 1
Horizon Air logo Horizon Air 0 1 0
Total 0 2 1

Incident Trends

12-month historical view

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Incident Details

Complete listing for October, 2012

  • Alaska Airlines logo

    Alaska Airlines

    Carrier: Alaska Airlines Flight: 138 (Anchorage, AK to Chicago-O’Hare, IL) Date of incident: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Time of incident: Ap...

    Injury Dog ORD Brachycephalic

    October 16, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    View Report
  • American Airlines logo

    American Airlines

    Carrier and Flight Number American Airlines Flight #1334

    Date and Time of the Incident 09 October 2012 @ 2350

    Description of the Animal, ...

    Death Dog Flight AA1334

    October 09, 2012 at 11:50 PM

    View Report
  • Horizon Air logo

    Horizon Air

    Carrier: Horizon Air Flight: 2490 (SEA/BLI) Date of incident: October 14, 2012 Time of incident: Approximately 6:00 P.M. PT

    Narrative d...

    Injury Cat BLI Flight 2490

    October 14, 2012 at 06:00 PM

    View Report

Quick Stats

Total Incidents 3
Losses 0
Injuries 2
Deaths 1

Report Information

Report Period October 2012
Published December 2012
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