Statement in response to dog death on United Airlines flight
The tragic loss of life could have been avoided
Boston, MA - March 14, 2018. FOUR PAWS International was both deeply saddened and enraged by the news of a family dog that died on a domestic United Airlines flight after the dog’s carrier was stowed in the overhead bin. The tragic incident highlights the need for a stricter standard of care for animals while traveling on flights. Additionally, it is unbelievable to us, for an airline such as United, to have an allowance policy for small pets in the cabin, yet do not provide effective training for cabin crew to prevent such distressing results. We believe standards can be higher for the safety of airline passengers and their companion animals.
FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organization for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need, and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organization advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy, and understanding. FOUR PAWS’ sustainable campaigns and projects focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats, and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam, as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.us