October 25th 2024.
A devastating incident has recently come to light involving the death of a beloved French bulldog on an Alaska Airlines flight. According to the owner, Michael Contillo, he had purchased two first-class tickets for himself and his father so that their two dogs could have more space and be surrounded by fewer passengers. However, things took a tragic turn when the flight attendants asked them to move to a different section of the plane for safety reasons.
Contillo claims that he and his father were asked to move to aisle 11 of the plane, despite their concerns about the well-being of their dogs. In a lawsuit filed on October 16, Contillo stated that the flight attendants ignored their pleas and forced them to relocate. This, according to Contillo, caused one of his dogs, Ash, to become extremely anxious and exhibit signs of heavy and rapid breathing.
As a worried pet owner, Contillo knew that these symptoms could be extremely dangerous for a dog, especially when flying at high altitudes. He pleaded with the flight attendants to let them stay in first-class, but his requests were ignored. Tragically, when the plane landed at San Francisco International Airport, Ash was found dead in her carrier, in what appeared to be rigor mortis.
Contillo and his father were understandably distraught and heartbroken over the loss of their beloved pet. To make matters worse, the suit alleges that none of the flight crew showed any concern or compassion for their loss. In fact, according to the complaint, they were not even offered condolences. This lack of empathy only added to the family's grief and pain.
It is worth noting that French bulldogs, with their short noses, are at a higher risk of respiratory problems and death when flying compared to dogs with regular-length muzzles. However, Contillo had taken both of his dogs to a veterinary hospital before the flight and was assured that they were healthy enough to travel.
The lawsuit against Alaska Airlines includes allegations of negligence, contract breach, and negligent hiring and supervision. Contillo is seeking punitive damages, which will be determined during the trial. This is not the first time in recent years that a dog has died on a US-based airline. In 2018, a French bulldog passed away on a United Airlines flight due to being placed in an overhead compartment.
The death of Ash has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the safety and well-being of pets on flights. It is a heartbreaking reminder that our furry friends are not just cargo, but members of our families. As the trial continues, we can only hope that justice will be served and that measures will be taken to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.
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