United Airlines PetSafe program to resume with big restrictions
United announced it will resume operating its PetSafe animal carriage program but is blacklisting dozens of pet breeds.
The sweeping overhaul will see the banning of 25 breeds like pit bulls, boxers, bulldogs and pugs and Persian cats ‘out of concern for higher adverse health risks,’ it said.
The airline will now only accept dogs and cats.
It says snub-nosed dogs and certain cat breeds face greater health risks when flying in the cargo hold.
"As we continue our review process to ensure that we are always doing what’s right, we are committed to making significant improvements in our program," United vice president of cargo Jan Krems said in a statement.
In addition, it will halt all pet carriage from May to September to and from southwest US destinations due to the hot temperatures.
These include Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Phoenix and Tucson.
United partnered with American Humane to draw up the new policy and will continue to work with the organization to tweak and improve it when necessary.
"Transporting pets introduces a variety of risks, and when United approached us we knew we had to take on the challenge of helping improve and ensure the health, safety and comfort of so many animals," said Robin Ganzert, chief executive of American Humane.
The airline halted its PetSafe program in March after a dog died after being placed in an overhead bin by a flight attendant.
The new rules begin on June 18 and do not affect emotional support animals in the cabin.
In 2017, 18 animals died on United flights, significantly more than any other US airline.
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