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Woman Claims United Airlines Killed Her Golden Retriever
A California woman claims that United Airlines killed her 2-year-old Golden Retriever, Bea, on a flight from New York to California two weeks ago.The accusation appears on her beamakesthree blog, which prominently featured her puppy.
"I'm writing this with my anger aside, in the hopes that someone looking for advice will read this and not make the mistake of trusting United with their pets as we did," she posted earlier today.
The story is a sad one. A caring dog owner returning from an East Coast summer vacation took all needed precautions to ensure that two of her dogs would travel safely home, driving from Upstate New York to Newark airport to plan a direct flight, enrolling the pets in United's PetSafe program, buying extra food and crates and special water bowls, and of course, undergoing thorough vet checks.
"When we arrived in San Francisco to pick up our dogs we drove to the dark cargo terminal and on arrival in the hanger were told simply, 'one of them is dead' by the emotionless worker who seemed more interested in his text messages," she wrote.
Maggie described the struggle she had with supervisors to get her dog to a preferred vet for autopsy (called necropsy in animals) and the resulting cause of death was heatstroke.
United, she says, has not responded to repeated requests for comment or further explanation as to how her dog could have died in flight, simply stating, "our internal investigation does not show any irregularities, as evidenced by the fact that your companion dog and other animals on board did not suffer the same fate."
She does not confirm if the airline refunded the $1,800 in expenses they incurred to travel with their pets.
Maggie, we're so sorry for your loss.
Update, 4:34 PM ET: United issued the following statement:
We understand that the loss of a beloved pet is difficult and express our condolences to Ms. Rizer and her family for their loss. After careful review, we found there were no mechanical or operational issues with Bea's flight and also determined she was in a temperature-controlled environment for her entire journey. We would like finalize the review but are unable until we receive a copy of the necropsy.
[Image via beamakesthree]
Filed under: Airlines, News, Consumer Activism, Airline Reviews
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sally Sep 21st 2012 2:27PM
I would never fly any of my beloved animals in and airline cargo hold. If they are too big to ride in the cabin with me, then I would drive wherever I was going.
David Sep 21st 2012 10:29PM
Driving is the only safe, sure way of transporting a pet. If the pet must accompany you, plan accordingly. United, Delta, American, Southwest, etc. all have horror stories like this.
epenissio Sep 21st 2012 2:53PM
The airline was Air Force 1, they chef thought it was dinner.
Dave Sep 21st 2012 3:43PM
Are you as STUPID as you sound in your comments? Dumb Ass...
Nancy Sep 21st 2012 3:10PM
How tragic. So very sorry for your loss. I have never read anything good about traveling with your animal. The airlines better wake up and do something about the conditions the animals fly in. Heat and Cold. Who knows. Maybe put a secret recorder in their cage. Unless you have lost an animal no one could understand the pain. Please continue your effort to expose them
hellraiser081 Sep 21st 2012 3:56PM
Condolences on your loss Maggie.
Here we go again with an agency investigating themselves and finding no fault.
NANCY Sep 21st 2012 4:33PM
A hanger is something that you hang your clothes on, an airplane hangAr is where you house aircrafts.
Kevin Sep 22nd 2012 8:19AM
A story about someone losing their beloved pet due to negligence of the airline they entrusted the animal to and your only comment is that they misspelled the word hangAr??? Really? That's it?
Well thank you professor for that thoughtful observation. You can go back to grading those third garde book reports now.
(Get a life)
RayK Sep 21st 2012 4:30PM
I've flown over a million miles on United, but after their response, I doubt I'll add to that total. Besides the fact that the texting employee should have been fired, the fact that they issue a statement with grammatical errors demonstrates that they really aren't interested in details. You know, details like keeping the animals alive.
glenn Sep 21st 2012 5:12PM
I've heard story.....after story....after story.....of pets dying on flights....
DONT DO IT....drive cross country do whatever you have to to avoid a aride int he bowels of an airplane. something happens and lots of pets die.
I would never transport my dog via the undercarriage of an aircraft.
Art Sep 21st 2012 5:48PM
If the airlines would do what they are suppose to, things like that would not happen. I know, I went thru it with United years ago, but I just happened to be paying attention, I was told first my carrier was to big to go on with me, next they were out of their carriers. I was assured my cat would stay inside until they were ready to put her on, which it was freezing out & snowing, and she would be the first off. I watched out the window putting luggage on 3 carts worth, when they got to the last one there was my cat!!!! As soon as we landed at the next airport, I demanded her to be brought to me, I told them I wanted one of their carriers asap, they said it was 25.00, I told them all I had was a check and they would take it, they didn't tell me about the tax, I said to bad here is the 25.00 and I want my cat. When she came up she was freezing cold and I had to keep her in my coat to warm her until my next flight and she was with me the rest of the way!
michael Sep 21st 2012 10:12PM
a two yr old dog does not die of heat stroke. unless he or she is subjected to long periods with no water in the heat. animals are notably resiliant. they dont just die for no reason. i would never transport my cat by plane, but if i ever had to, id probably ride in the hold with her. alot of people simply dont understand that pets are like children to the people that own them. the death of a pet, especially a long term pet can be one of the most horrendous things that can happen to you. i hope she persues this if for no other reason than to see if the airlines is culpable. she will need to do this for closure. no closure, no peace.
Cheryl Sep 22nd 2012 12:17AM
As a twenty year veteran airline employee I have firsthand knowlegde. There are many rules for the safe carriage of animals, but these are just rules. There are some caring employees, but for the most part, a kennel is treated just like any other bag. Kennels are supposed to be loaded last and in front and offloaded first. I once offloaded a jet and buried under all the luggage at the back of the pit was a kennel with a dog. Fortunately the dog was okay. I wrote a report, but no none cared. Bottom line, the airlines don't care about anything but getting an ontime departure, and if it means bending the rules, so be it. Please people, do not ever put your beloved pet in the hands of airline personnel. If you must travel with your pet, carry the pet in cabin with you.
LisaTheGreat Sep 22nd 2012 12:42AM
United does not have a good repuation as far as dogs go. Just two months ago a man's service dog was kicked by a United employee and he went through a terrible experience getting bumped from flights for days on end. If I had to pick an airline to fly it would not be United if there was another way to go.
Terry P Sep 22nd 2012 7:41AM
I used to occasionally ship both parrots & dogs ...and I was lucky in that I was given some advice by a former stewardess.....make sure about any layovers in flight......for their safety get the absolute shortest flight.......also avoid Dallas-Ft. Worth..........too hot in summer and way to cold in the winter....they also used to have a horrible reputation there for animal care in transport......(leaving animals exposed on the tarmac for extended periods of time......I was lucky, I am sorry her dog was killed by maltreatment.......United should be held accountable.
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