Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Reward for missing dog at Washington Dulles
If you happen to be riding around in one of the Moon Rovers at Washington Dulles in the next couple days, keep your eyes peeled for any four legged creatures running around the tarmac.John and Ronia Weisner, two owners of a dog that was traveling with John, an active member of the armed forces, en route to Saudi Arabia, were horrified to find that their pet was lost at
The culprit, they suggest, is the substandard cage that the FAA required them to use -- apparently the new kennel that they purchased had to have screws in it but was still not structurally sound enough to handle the baggage system.
But how did the dog escape? Once the dog and cage went down into the luggage system, it appears that something struck its side and the dog broke free. As to whether the dog could have broken itself free, the Weisner's state:
"There's no way, no something hit it, bended it inward."
Now, in an effort to find the missing animal and restore peace to John and Ronia, the two have offered a $2500 reward, while United has put up another matching $2500. The pair have been scouring the tarmac with escorts looking for the dog and apparently have still yet to find the animal.
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 13)
VetTech Jul 16th 2008 3:43PM
Continental Airlines does have climate control. The pets are kept at temperature control throughout the flight as well as during transport and holding.
Pam in Maryland Jul 16th 2008 3:43PM
I own a dog who is like a child to me and if this happened to me I would be so sick I wouldn't know what to do. In fact, just reading this story makes me feel ill. These airlines have become so disgusting. Just look at that $200,000 show dog after the Westminster Kennel club dog show in 2007. I realize times are financially hard for the airlines and there are times people must travel but they are slowing driving people away. In fact my father and I had such a horrible trip in June of 2007 and then he and my mother again in January of 2008 that he's taking Amtrak next month to travel. It may cost him more money but at least they will be comfortable. I know many people who have stopped flying except in emergencies because of the treatment they are receiving. People may have to fly but eventually the airline with the best customer service will win out. Many times people are willing to pay a bit more to be treated well, money isn't always everything. If I knew I'd be allowed I would go help look for the dog as I only live about an hour and a half from the airport. Haven't those people given enough of themselves. If they are like most, that dog was a member of their family that they loved and treasured.
Keith J. Mohrhoff Jul 16th 2008 3:47PM
Bernadette:
The soldier wasn't flying by military transport because of the sheer volume of personnel that regularly need to go there at this time. As is common in times of war, the Government has contracts with commercial carriers to provide space of commercial flights to 'jump-off' points (i.e., places where other transportation can be arranged to take them into a combat zone) and special charter flights that will take them into an engagement area. The nice thing about these flights is it would allow the family to travel together which 'technically' could not happen if he had to travel on military transport. (i.e, his wife and dog are not in the service.) The fact that he was alowed to bring his wife and dog unfortunately means that his superiors expect him to be there for at least a year (more likely two). the up side is, his time
Michael E Jul 16th 2008 8:50PM
All these comments on who to blame. This author is obviously trying to bait everybody. How about some assistance on how we can help find the dog. Maybe a picture and/or name of the dog? Even a # to the specific department at United. Some of us actually live in the area and just might see the dog walking around. Instead of constant whinning maybe some additional help as to how solve this immediate problem.
Brenda Jul 16th 2008 10:14PM
Ahh...a voice of reason. I am a very big dog lover and I am sad that the dog is lost, but I also like to consider myself a rational person and realize that considering the number of pets transported via any airline, on any given day, that occasionally an unfortunate tragedy will occur. Check out the link that one gal posted here regarding pet/airline mishaps and think about how many flights there are every day. I'm willing to bet that more dogs are killed in this country by their owners transporting them in their own cars and the back of their pickup trucks.
AOL is obviously sensationally baiting this topic by prominently displaying the link to this story on their sign on page. Don't we have more serious issues in this country that should be prominently displayed on the sign on page, like millions of families losing their homes, the oil crisis, the war, and who is responsible?
Last week, it was open season on American Airlines for canceling a flight where the passengers were booing the crew, this week it's bash United Airlines. Next week, it will probably be Delta's turn. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I'm a very frequent flyer, particularly on United, and I'm almost always treated well. Yes, I've experienced canceled and delayed flights, probably more than most of you, because I fly more, but I've experienced them on ALL airlines. United may seem to have more, but considering how large of a carrier they are, they would have more than a smaller airline. I've also been on many United flights with soldiers coming home from Iraq, and from what I could see, they were treated well, and with respect.
I am not happy with the state of air transportation today, but realize that so much of what's wrong is out of any one airline's control. Airlines are also at fault as well. Our air traffic control system is archaic and completely over-stressed, airports in large markets are over-stressed and have a shortage of gates, causing delays and missed connections- severe weather, like summer thunderstorms and blizzards (i.e. Chicago and Denver) etc. If you have one hiccup, like severe weather in Chicago or Denver (United hubs) flights get delayed and cancelled and the whole system is affected. Move the bad weather to Newark, (Continental hub) or Atlanta (Delta hub) and your Continental or Delta flights in other parts of the country are affected, delayed or cancelled.
Yes, airlines are also to blame. They're barely surviving financially because of the cost of oil, so they make staffing and scheduling cutbacks. That factor would be more tolerable if their executives were not rewarding theirselves with huge salaries and bonuses, while stiffing their employees, which directly affects their customers. There are so many factors that come into play here. I long for the glory days of flying too, but with the cost of oil today, the airlines will have to raise fares dramatically in order to restore those days.
Pat Ciara Jul 16th 2008 3:58PM
For this very reason, I would never allow the airlines to transport my pet. I would drive 2,000 miles before putting either my dog or cat in a cargo hold. They couldn't even keep track of a bottle of tequila that I was bringing back from Mexico. I was told I couldn't bring it on board......liquid! And you want me to give them my dog. Not a chance.
julie Jul 16th 2008 4:03PM
What a nightmare for the family! It is like losing one of their children. If the dog is never found, unfortunately, the airlines will not have to pay much in restitution since the laws consider pets "personal property" like a couch.
D. Goldman Jul 16th 2008 4:05PM
I can't believe how stupid, or dumb, the first few women are who posted here!! The point is that someone at the airlines should be FIRED IMMEDIATELY!! Make a public example of the idiot who was responsible for the loss of the dog through the negligence that caused the breach. There has to be a lot of cameras that have filmed the movement of the carrier -- look at the film and start firing -- immediately!! If you're going to work somewhere, in spite of the wage structure, then YOU DO THE JOB, YOU DO NOT PUNISH THE PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING FOR -- QUIT IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT!
edith larivey Jul 16th 2008 4:44PM
There needs to be more and newer rules in re-gards to the shipment of animals. The luggage dept gets real hot like the cargo---It is best to buy the space next to you and fly the animal with you in signt.
accidents do happen but its getting out of hand with
air lines. this has been going on for decades but seems to be getting worse and one cant trust heresay anynmore so it seems.
Candy Jul 16th 2008 4:16PM
Air Tran let my friend fly her kitty home on the plane with her in a carrier designed to fit under the seat. She did fine all the way home. They were really awesome about it. Since I never had children of my own, my four-footed felines are my "children" and if anything like that ever happened, I don't know if I could recover. Fortunately for me, I don't fly so I'll never have the experience. My prayers and best wishes are with the folks that their puppy gets returned to them.
Yo-si Jul 16th 2008 4:21PM
I hope they find the dog soon and in good health. BUT, what were they thinking taking any pet with them to Saudi? It's no secret that pets are not held in any regard at all there not to mention the lenghty quarantine the dog may have to endure upon returning- providing it survives the long flight and lord knows what kind of handling at the hands of Saudi tarmac workers. This couple was acting selfishly to take their dog on such a long relocation to a less than hospitable destination. Yes, accidents happen to pets at airports- A LOT! But these folks were also wrong to take the dog in the first place.
jerry mishler Nov 14th 2008 4:48PM
There is NO quarantine in USA. I have a pet shipping
business 'Action Pet Express' We ship many pets to
UAE and all over the world with NO problems. No need
to break up your family!
There probably was a flaw in the shipping kennel. Many
cheap kinds on the market. It is very important to
check ALL snaps and bolts. It often happens that the
door in NOT latched correctly. I doubt very much if it
was the fault of United airlines.
I would like to know more about the original kennel, and why United wanted to change it....
Hope for the very best
Regards, Jerry Mishler
Yo-si Nov 14th 2008 5:25PM
Congrats Jerry on your clean record. That said, my brother in-law is a pilot for AA and my sister works for UA. I've heard enough 'behind the scenes incidents' to know that I woud NEVER send any animal on a flight in the cargo hold. Honestly with the internet being so readily available these folks would have had to do very little research to know the risks of sending their pet on a flight, especially one that long. If the flight isn't bad enough then you have the ground crew to worry about. The airlines have not cleaned up their act, they're just pretty good at keeping their mis-haps under wraps
Tom Jul 16th 2008 4:20PM
A dog missing for an hour gets a story on the Internet. Huh???!!!
Slow news day I guess...
helema Jul 16th 2008 4:24PM
If anybody took the time to look up the saudia arabian law codes they would find that only service dogs are alowwed in saudia arabia!! this may have been a guard dog or a service dog trained to sniff out drugs and or bombs in an area!! some of those in service house their dogs and treat them like family bu tare still handlers!! mabey they failed to mention this guy was ahandler for a guard or service dog!!
Country Jul 16th 2008 4:26PM
Happytobe you obviously don't care for pets and that's ok but you should have more respect for those that do! There is some that don't like to sit next to people that talk a lot or kids that are not exactly being clean or quiet so thing is we can all get along and put up with some things if we are a caring enough person.
I sure hope they find the dog!!
edith larivey Jul 16th 2008 5:00PM
WITH LL WHATS SAID AND DONE HERE WHY NOT PRAY THIS DOG IS FOUND AND RETURNED
PRAYERS DO MOVE MOUNTAINS AND MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE.
LR
Blake Jul 16th 2008 4:25PM
United is the WORST airline ever! They are never on time and are constantly cancelling flights! And then, they do absolutely nothing to accomondate or help someone out when they have unconvienced them.
Jennifer Jul 16th 2008 4:29PM
Eric,
Here's a website listing all the airline "pet incidents" up to June 2008. It tells you which airline, type of animal, cause of death, etc.
http://www.petflight.com/pet-incidents/list
Linda Jul 16th 2008 4:29PM
Why is the family putting up part of the reward??Cough cough the airline lost the dog not the family, SO the airline should cover ALL the costs in finding the dog and getting it the its owner..Lets get that dog found people..