Puppy death prompts latest United Airlines backlash
United Airlines’ HQ is hunkering down for another major PR backlash, and it’s getting just as bad as the infamous dragging incident of last year.
The latest controversy involves the death of a puppy that was mistakenly put into the overhead locker by a member of the crew during a three-hour flight.
The US Department of Transportation said it will look closely at the events surrounding the death of the French Bulldog.
Following an investigation by the airline, United’s latest statement claims the crew member misheard or misunderstood the owners of the dog and didn’t realise there was a pet inside the holdall.
The dog was travelling in a TSA-approved dog carrier and was initially placed under the seat as per normal policy.
After the three-hour flight from Houston to New York LaGuardia the 10-month old puppy was found dead.
United said it takes full responsibility and is ‘deeply sorry for this tragic accident’.
US Sentator John Kennedy has said he plans to file a bill today to prohibit airlines from putting animals in overhead bins.
He has already written a letter to United Airlines president Scott Kirby demanding infomation on the hugh number of animals that have died in the carrier’s care.
A recent US Department of Transportation report found that of the 24 animals which died on flights, 18 were traveling with United Airlines.
Within 24 hours of the puppy’s death United has become the focus of another dog incident after wrongly shipping a 10-year-old German shepherd from Portland to Japan instead of Kansas.
United said it will issue brightly coloured bag tags to all customers travelling with pets in the cabin.
"This visual tag will further help our flight attendants identify pets in-cabin," the airline said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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