US DOT, senator demand answers from United Airlines over pet deaths
The US Department of Transportation said it will look closely at the events surrounding the death of a dog on a United Airlines flight as a GOP senator fired off a letter to the airline demanding answers.
Sen. John Kennedy wants ‘an immediate explanation’ into the death of the puppy which was forced to travel in the overhead bin of a New York bound flight.
"For many people, pets are members of the family. They should not be treated like insignificant cargo. Frankly, they shouldn’t be placed in the cargo hold much less an overhead bin," Sen. Kennedy wrote in an angry missive to the airline.
Kennedy later tweeted that he plans to introduce a bill to prohibit airlines from putting animals in overhead bins with ‘significant fines’ for any violation.
A recent US Department of Transportation report found that of the 24 animals which died on flights, 18 were traveling with United Airlines.
"This pattern of animal deaths and injuries is simply inexcusable. They have some explaining to do," Kennedy said.
The US DOT is looking into United’s role in the incident and the FAA said it would review findings from the airline’s own investigation.
It comes after another mishap has just been revealed.
A dog flying from Portland to Kansas was mixed up with another canine and ended up in Japan.
United announced it will issue brightly colored bag tags to all customers traveling with pets in the cabin.
"This visual tag will further help our flight attendants identify pets in-cabin," the airline said.
TravelMole Editorial Team
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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports