UnitedAirlines

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

For those of us always asking the question: Should I fly my puppy? this is the reason I would never do it. I understand that it doesn't happen a high percentage of the time but I say why risk your puppy or dog in the percentage that does.

Very sad and the way it was handled is unforgivable.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/21/supermodel-maggie-rizer-un...

[Vivian & Mojo]

I have never flown nor would ever fly a puppy or dog ever. So very sad and tragic and the way United responded is so wrong.

[Gail and Bailey]

Such a tragic way to lose your pet!  My heart goes out to them.

Did you read the comments below the article?  It was interesting to read one from a flight attendent who suggests people can get their dogs a service dog license so they can bring them in the cabin with them.  We have had discussions here about how the system is being abused and people who do not need service dogs are getting the license for reasons like this.

[Lynne of Fountain Falls]

I'm a breeder and correspond with lots of other breeders.  Most fly their puppies out in cargo with no problems.  Some, mostly when dealing with Delta have had hair raising stories to tell about lost puppies, missed flights, puppies not being unloaded and flying back to the original destination without being tended to.  Again, let me say that most of the complaints have been about Delta.

I'm a small selective breeder with only a couple of litters a year.  I offer other ways to get the puppy to the new owner.  I have a puppy transporter who flys with the puppy in coach to where ever it needs to go.  The new owner can fly to an airport within 100 miles of me and I deliver the puppy to them there, or we arrange to drive the puppy to their new home if the new owner prefers.    Again, I do not have as many puppies as some of the bigger breeders, but I personally could not handle the stress that one of my babies may be mishandled.  To my knowledge there is no required reporting about problems with the airlines.  I havent bothered to look in awhile because I decided early on that it was not for me. If you are buying a puppy I urge you to either visit the breeder or offer to fly to where the breeder lives.  It is not that much more to fly most places then to have the puppy shipped.  I flew to Flint michigan to pick up a puppy, turned around and flew home two hours later, and it cost me less, including parking then it would have to have had the puppy shipped.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Good for you!! I know someone who goes south every winter with her two poodles--because she is so devoted to the dogs, I  expressed surprise to her that she would put them in cargo--she said" Oh, no, I get a private jet"--Well, OK then!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

OK indeed. Nice if you can do it.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Would love that.  We also winter in Phoenix area and drive it from WA state every year!  We just take our time and it is so much more enjoyable.  I just could not handle the stress of putting Charlie in cargo  - no way!  Just really makes me sick to think about that!

[Lynne of Fountain Falls]

AFTER I posted I went back and read the report.  It took going through 50 pages but on page 51 it does say that 46 have died, 9 have been injured and 2 have been lost.  During my scanning of the report I noticed that only a few official complaints have been lodged against the airlines for  animal complaints.  .  I was obviously wrong that they dont have to report but again, these numbers dont add up.  I know of several big screw ups just this month.  Delta, by the way had the highest number with 19 of the 49 deaths. 

[Vivian & Mojo]

When I fly I'm reluctant to check my bags due to mishandling and loss and can't imagine trusting my precious puppy/dog. Not too long ago in NYC a dog in the Westminster dog show got loose and ran off from the airport personal...so many things can happen. I drove 1500 miles to visit family so I could bring my dog and when I had to fly I left my dog with the breeder on one occasion and on another a dog friendI trusted.

[Ginny Nightingale]

ugh--how horrible--flying puppies and pets around the country and world is getting so commonplace now and people are not aware of the risks--breeders say "Oh, it's fine--I do it all the time"--but it is often not fine and doing something risky MORE often does not make it less risky.

I had to put a pup on a plane once and I worried so much until he reached his destination--it is not something I would ever choose to do--this particular situation was not my decision to make.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I will say Jack flew on US Airways... with a layover. I had no idea what I was doing or I most likely would not have done it and for sure I would go pick the puppy up now.. but I will say Jack came to me tail wagging, as happy as can be hydrated and had to poop. His spirits were great and he was very well cared for...... 

His layover has a place for animals to go and be cool or warm depending on the weather, he was fed there and given water....... My sweet boy.. I almost named him Cargo because he was flown cargo......

I know dogs get flown out all the time and nothing happens but one is too many.

[Lynne of Fountain Falls]

I want to emphasize that I have met some of the most ethical caring people ever that are tigers when it comes to protecting the health and welfare of their puppies.  Sometimes a dog must be transported and there isnt another way.  All you can do is to check the safety records of the airline and to follow up at both ends of the trip to ensure that the pup has gotten where it is supposed to be.  Im fortunate to have someone that is willing to fly with the pups, to get them where they need to go.  I also am able to sell most of my pups in the South East where I live.  I know a breeder that lives in a remote area that pretty much has to ship most of her puppies. I think the answer lies in a public outcry about the safety and welfare of animals in the care of the airlines.  It shouldnt be that hard to get a pup or dog from point a to point b on a direct flight.  If the plane is not equipped to be temperature controlled and pressurized then they shouldn't be charging to fly animals. "plane" and simple.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There are lots and lots of breeders who will not ship puppies.