April 2013 Airline Pet Travel Report

The April, 2013 Airline Pet Travel Report contains pet incidents for the month of February, 2013.

On United Airlines flight 201 from San Francisco, CA to Honolulu, HI, a 7 year old, female, Pit Bull was found deceased upon arrival in Honolulu. A necropsy was performed and the cause of death was diagnosed as a combination of underlying cardiovascular disease and acute interstitial pneumonia. United Airlines states that there was no mishandling on their part, no preventive action was taken. The Incident happened on February 7th, 2013.

On Horizon Airlines flight 2356 from Portland, OR to Spokane, WA, after arrival in Spokane a male service animal was dropped out of the kennel by the owner and it sustained a broken toe nail. The exact cause of the injury is unknown, it is possible that the dog was mishandled by the owner when she grabbed the crate, or Horizon could have left the gate to the crate open. Although the cause is not fully known, Horizon gave the owner of the animal a discount on future flight. The incident happened on February 20th, 2013.

On Delta Flight 1095 from Charlotte, NC to Atlanta, GA, a two year old Pit Bull named Kash was found to be bleeding around the mouth. The injury was likely sustained during transport from Charlotte to Atlanta, the injuries were discovered in Atlanta. The injury to Kash was self inflicted, as he attempted to chew though the wires of the crate. Delta reported that the animal was handled properly by them, thus no preventative action was taken. The Incident happened on February 9th, 2013.

On Alaska Airlines Flight 242 from Los Angles, CA to Guadalajaral, MX a one year old Bulldog named Gargoyle was found deceased upon arrival in Guadalajaral. Alaska Airlines called it a natural death although their was blood spatter in the crate, but no injuries found on the dog. Alaska Airlines reports no mishandling on their part. The Incident happened on February 2nd, 2013.

Pet Travel Incidents by Airline during February, 2013.
Airline Losses Injuries Deaths
Alaska Airlines 0 0 1
Delta 0 1 0
Horizon Air 0 1 0
United Airlines 0 0 1
Total 0 2 2

See all incidents included in the April, 2013 report.

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Source: April 2013 Air Travel Consumer Report.