United alters pet policy after dog’s death
Brightly colored bag tags to be issued for in-cabin pets; airline apologizes to family
The Animal Cruelty Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday night said it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a puppy Monday evening on a United Airlines flight from Houston to New York, even as the airline released new details regarding the passing of the 10-month-old canine.
“After law enforcement concludes their investigation, we will review their findings and make an appropriate decision based on applicable law and facts,” stated Carvana Cloud, chief of the Family Criminal Law Division.
The airline contends that while a passenger told the flight attendant there was a dog in her carrier, “our flight attendant did not hear or understand her, and did not knowingly place the dog in the overhead bin.”
“We have spoken to the family, our crew and a number of passengers who were seated nearby,” the airlines said in a statement Wednesday. “As we stated, we take full responsibility and are deeply sorry for this tragic accident. We remain in contact with the family to express our condolences and offer support.”
The airline also refunded the family’s money for their tickets and in-cabin pet fee and have offered to fund a necropsy, spokeswoman Maggie Schermin said Wednesday afternoon. A necropsy is an autopsy performed on an animal.
The airline will also alter its pet policy starting in April. United will start issuing bright colored bag tags to customers traveling with in-cabin pets.
Shortly after boarding United Fight 1284 from Houston to New York’s LaGuardia, the dog’s owner was told to place the 10month-old Frenchie and its carrier in the overhead compartment, June Lara, a passenger who sat behind the owner, told the Chronicle.
By the time the plane landed roughly three hours later and the overhead compartment was opened, the dog was dead, said Lara.
According to United’s pet policy, animals must be in a carrier and “fit completely under the seat in front of the customer and remain there at all times.”
United had another problem with a dog this week, according to the Associated Press. The airline said Wednesday it’s investigating after mistakenly flying a Kansas family’s dog to Japan.